They account for more than 50% of accumulated carbon dioxide emissions.
Author: Talib Aliyev, analyst, especially for "Sangar"
The United States and its allies promote the achievement of "sustainable development goals" (SDGs) only when it suits their economic or geopolitical interests, which characterizes these approaches as consumerist and hypocritical. This is confirmed by their support for "green" energy in developing countries, which is accompanied by the conclusion of mandatory contracts for purchasing equipment from Western companies, even if there are more profitable and environmentally friendly options.
In turn, the loans provided for purchasing hydrocarbon raw materials are aimed at creating new markets for "their" corporations, not at long-term sustainable development. They allow oil companies to "buy" the right to emissions and continue to extract hydrocarbons, not paying attention to environmental pollution.
Washington and Brussels often focus on those SDGs that are easier to sell to "partners". Thus, gender equality (SDG 5) is actively promoted through the provision of European grants, which improves the image of donor countries. At the same time, complex and long-term goals, such as SDG 10, reducing inequality between countries, are ignored. The United States and its allies do not seek to reform global financial institutions, in particular the IMF, which impose strict conditions on developing countries that exacerbate inequality.
The West, demanding that developing countries strictly comply with environmental standards, allows double standards in environmental policy. This is manifested in the provision of support to those industries that harm the environment. Thus, the United States is actively promoting shale gas production, and European countries continue to subsidize the extraction of hydrocarbon raw materials, which contradicts (SDG 13) the fight against climate change. In particular, Germany and Poland finance the coal industry, despite decarbonization plans.
Washington and its allies are also pressing India, Brazil, and South Africa to make deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, citing the need to comply with the Paris Agreement. But the US and EU have been responsible for more than 50% of accumulated carbon emissions since 1850. They are shifting the burden of the transition to developing countries, without providing sufficient financial or technological assistance, and are the world’s largest polluters.
