Читать книгу The Political Economy of the BRICS Countries - Группа авторов - Страница 63

In the BRICS countries, the market-friendly model of development has made them the emerging superstars of world economy, but they have experienced rising inequality and unacceptable levels of poverty and serious environmental damage as a consequence. The real challenge is whether these nations, if they are to lead the world economy in 2050, attain a path of sustainable development? What might be needed is a new model of development that consciously cooperates in changing the energy portfolio to a substantial degree, lowers the ecological footprint, redefines innovations in terms of eco-efficiency, and significantly reduces carbon dioxide and other green-house gas emissions. Brazil is still plagued by drought (through deforestations in the Amazon) and urban pollution, Russia is considered to be terribly inefficient and unsustainable in its energy use patterns. India is marked by large-scale urban pollution and is the third largest emitter of carbon dioxide. China is similarly affected by the consequences of rapid economic growth. Air pollution is markedly high, and China has achieved the dubious distinction of being the highest polluter in the world in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. It may be noted that as per the agreement of the Kyoto Protocol in February 2005, the task of reducing green-house gases and mitigating the effects of global warming were differentiated across developed and developing nations. The Annex I developed countries were accountable for their emissions and expected to reduce them in a systematic way. The Non-Annex I nations on the other hand (mostly developing countries) were not required to reduce emissions except as a voluntary measure. Russia is in Annex I while the other BRICS are in Non-Annex I.

Would it be possible to put some numbers to the trends that are observed in terms of economic efficiency, social progress, and environmental improvements? A few studies have been done (Mizhou Research Institute, 2005)² to try and put comparative values on the three important aspects of sustainable development, namely economic, social, and environmental aspects. Also, it is important that the BRICS show signs of innovative strategies toward sustainability. Exclusive focus on economic growth (from where the concept of BRICS began) will not suffice. The damages from very high rates of growth are well known and noticeable in the BRICS. In a way, what made BRICS a center of attention is exactly the opposite of what is required to keep it in the limelight as global leaders in 2050. The next section discusses some of the important empirics of BRICS success or failure to live up to the expectations it originally generated.