IB Global Politics The Relationship Between Development and Sustainability Key Definitions

Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) is the principle, enshrined in the UNFCCC (1992), that all states share responsibility for addressing climate change, but that industrialised states bear a greater burden because of their historically higher cumulative emissions.

CBDR is contested: Global North states argue it exempts major emerging emitters like China and India, while Global South states invoke it to demand financing and technology transfers before accepting binding emission cuts.

Development refers to the process of improving the economic, social, and political well-being of people.

A major theory in global politics focused on power and the idea that international relations are shaped by conflict and self-interest.

Sustainability refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.