Examining the Green Economy Pathway

…the role of Interests, Identity and Norms (Part 2- Identity)

IN this the second part of this three-part series we will look at the role of identity in the

Rear Admiral (Rtd.) Gary A. R. Best

context of the green economy pathway. We do agree that the green economy is a wide concept of development whose pillars mirror those of sustainable development. In fact, sustainable development and the green economy are sometimes used interchangeably, since both rely on environmental efficiency, social equity and economy prosperity.

In like manner ‘green growth’ is used interchangeably with ‘green economy’. However, in a wider context, an examination of the literature on the green economy revealed, among others, the following emerging concepts and variables that are relevant to Guyana, as a small developing state (SDS), in its pursuit of a green economy. While we will examine SDSs as a grouping, we do assert that its findings are relevant to Guyana as an individual SDS.

Some Emerging Variables
The following variables have emerged from exploring the characteristics of Guyana as an SDS. In terms of UNFCCC obligations, we observed the existence of limited technology transfer; doubt about what constitutes new and additional funding and the application of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.
With respect to climate adaptation finance (CAF) for SDSs, we found insufficient availability of financial funds; limited innovative financing; difficulties in differentiating between overseas development assistance and new and additional finance; uncertainty about funding beyond the green climate fund (GCF); uncertainty about quantity of adaptation funds; different approaches to estimating adaptation costs; uncertainty about the actual costs of adaptation and definition of incremental costs.

In the context of international finance, an examination of the literature revealed a high degree of unpredictability of pledged funds; absence of verifiable, measurable and reportable indicators of new and additional finance; limited micro-financing opportunities; asymetries in international financial cooperation and high international and financial transaction costs. With regard to adaptation, we found uncertainty about adaptation measures, adaptation deficits and adaptation abatement.

Whereas in the context of the economics and the environment, we observed a north-south divide on inter-relationship between economic development and the environment, an unclear understanding of the interdependence of ecological, social and economic systems; unequal balancing of economic activities and enviromental sustainability and difficulties in balancing the assimilative and regenerative capacities.

Finally, on governance, we found uncertainty of the meaning of vulnerability; an academic view that SDSs as a generic category was too small a group for analysis; fragmented global climate governance; difficulties mainstreaming adaptation into development; limited cognition climate policy integration; deficiency in balancing information flow to and from citizens through institutions; too much influence of non-state actors interdisciplinary collaboration among key sectors; imposed emissions reductions on SDSs and protection of intellectual property as a barrier to technology transfer.

Against this backdrop of multiple variables, we now look at our findings on the role Identity play in the pursuit of a green economy in Guyana.

Identity
The extent to which shared meanings, rules, norms and practices are contained in a structure is the extent to which identity can be said to be present. In examining SDSs as a grouping, we found that it contained shared meanings, rules, norms and practices, thus conforming to identity in constructivist terms. In this context, SDS, as an identity, would contain intersubjective understandings amongst its actors and agents. Further, we believe that the identity ‘small developing state’ has been habitual in the context of its consistent advocacy for SDSs to be so identified within the International Climate Change Regime (ICCR). This is further evidenced within the international discourse referencing SDSs and influenced by the actions of other states. Another popular label for SDSs is the accepted concept of small island developing states (SIDs), which has already been recognised as an identity per se within the international community. In this context, the SDS identity is informed by its norms, rules and practices rather than its own self-interest.

The SDS ‘Guyana identity’ is essential in the global context since, under the UNFCCC, there is specific mention of special consideration for small developing states to receive CAF and technology transfer from developing states. In greening its economy, it is also important for Guyana to partner with other SDSs, whether islands or not, and collectively leverage prescribed international obligations. Another important feature of the SDS identity is the prospect of a rapid transfer from brown to green energy systems, because Guyana’s current economy is small and its cost per unit of green energy transfer is likely to be much lower than that of a larger economy.

Vulnerability
We, however, found that there isn’t sufficient shared meanings, rules, norms and practices to determine that vulnerability, as an identity, has been formed within the wider ICCR, but we do believe that vulnerability has risen to the level of identity within the SDSs grouping and within Guyana as well. We posit also that vulnerability factors, whether financial, fiscal, geo-physical or anthropocentric, pose clear threats to economic, social and environmental development. Resilience is a natural response to vulnerability. In this context, Guyana must build its green economy pathway towards a Green State in such a manner, that resilience is a key and cross- cutting factor.

There is no doubt that the sustainable harvesting of our natural capital will directly contribute to resilience development in Guyana. At this juncture, however, we do need to keep in mind that it is one planet, one climate and one environment, and Guyana must ensure that, at least, Suriname, French Guiana, Venezuela and Brazil together work to build resilience along a similar pathway.

SDS as a Generic Category
In like manner, we found that a SDS identity as a generic category exists within the wider ICCR and SDS grouping, based on the social relationships within the ideational structures that collectively speak to this issue, in particular, the UNFCCC and numerous climate change conference outcomes. In fact, evidence of historical usage and continuous discourse of the term generic category, or derivatives therefrom, strengthens our belief that the term generic category is a widely accepted SDS identity. The identity of generic category allows us therefore to work in groupings such as CARICOM and the Alliance of Small Island States (AoSIS). Beyond groupings however, intersubjective meanings and understandings are likely to present within SDS as a generic category, influencing all other units such as other states and international organisations.

Limited Cognition
We do not believe that limited cognition, as an identity, has been sufficiently developed to merit concurrence. Limited cognition, in this context, relates to cognizance of the phenomenon of adaptation by SDSs. We submit that the shared meaning, rules, norms and practices of SDSs in relation to adaptation and, particularly its importance to their survival and resilience, is sufficient to conclude that limited cognition is not an identity particular to SDSs. However, we have no conclusion, at this time, as to whether it is an identity recognised within the ICCR. Within the context of Guyana, climate change, climate change adaptation and climate change response — particularly the low carbon development strategy– and, more recently, the development of a green state, together represents high levels of cognition as it relates to a clear intention on the part of the government to provide climate change solutions along a green economy pathway.

Non-Sate Actors
We found that non-state actors as an identity meet the criteria set above, though, we believe it to be doubtful that their actions are necessarily supportive of the SDSs agenda, given that their identity is conditioned by interests within the ICCR. However, we found that sustainable development, as an identity, represents an ideational structure with intersubjective meaning and understandings among actors and agents within the ICCR, including SDSs. And in that context we believe that SDSs, as a grouping, is reflective of an identity internationally recognised. We understand that non-state actors are part of the permanent international community. Notwithstanding its bias towards their sponsors, Guyana should concentrate on embedding within its green-state development policy, intersubjective and ideational meanings that can connect it to those of developed nations directly or through their funded non-state actors.
Next week we shall look at the role of NORMS and their influence on the green economy pathway.

Mr Gary A R Best is a retired Rear Admiral and former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. He is an Attorney at Law and the Presidential Advisor on the Environment. He is a PhD candidate at the University of the West Indies. He holds a BSc in Nautical Science (Brazil) and Masters Degrees from the University of the West Indies and the University of London. He is also an alumnus of the National Defence University and Harvard Kennedy School. His research areas include, climate change governance, climate change finance, international relations and environmental law.
Comments can be sent to towardsagoodlife@gmail.com

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