Climate change is no longer merely an environmental issue; it has become one of the defining challenges of global politics and security. The rise in greenhouse gas emissions, largely driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes, is altering the Earth’s climate at an unprecedented rate. Droughts, floods, extreme weather events, and erratic rainfall patterns are increasingly common, posing serious threats to food security, public health, and livelihoods worldwide. Recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasize that climate change is not only a threat to the planet but also to human well-being, economic stability, and global security.

Geopolitics plays a central role in the limitations and shortcomings of global climate negotiations. Climate change, rather than being treated solely as a technical or scientific challenge, has become deeply politicized. Unequal power relations, competing national interests, and strategic considerations shape negotiation outcomes. Major powers, fossil fuel interests, and large corporate actors exert disproportionate influence over climate forums, often marginalizing the voices and priorities of vulnerable and developing states that are most affected by climate impacts.

The United States, China, and the European Union remain dominant actors in international climate negotiations, particularly within platforms such as the annual Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Their economic weight, emission profiles, and diplomatic reach give them significant leverage in shaping agendas and outcomes. In contrast, smaller and........

© The Spine Times