Emerging Economies

The following research aims to elaborate on the manifold sustainability impacts resulting from the growth of emerging economies and developing countries, thus wanting to identify needs for research, development strategies and co-operation approaches. While this task – due to its immense dimensions – is not manageable for one single research project, the analysis follows a spotlight approach:

While the chapter 1 gives an overview on the economic and political implications of the growth of emerging economies from a global perspective, chapter 2 sketches the responses to these developments which have been given by existing and new co-operation initiatives and bodies. The list that is looked at comprises the following six cooperation initiatives and/or

definitions: Anchor Countries, BRICS, G8+5 and Outreach Countries, OECD Enhanced Engagement Countries, AP6, Kyoto Protocol and CDM. In examining these initiatives, special attention is drawn to the question of how to deal with these new economic and political powers in order to achieve a more sustainable development.

Chapter 3 enters into a more detailed analysis of four thematic clusters: social and environmental standards in global supply chains, the societal effects of supermarket expansion in Brazil and India and the impact of exporting used cars from Europe to Africa. Thus, it is aimed to bring the discussion on the challenges of globalisation and their sustainability impact on emerging economies to a more concrete level. This will enable us to prepare for evidence- based decision-making and to sketch the need for further research and co-operation efforts. The combination of all findings from chapter 1 to 3 leads to conclusions which are laid down in chapter four.