Final answer:
Developing countries may struggle to afford emission reductions due to their focus on basic needs and economic growth reliant on high-emission activities. High-income countries historically contributed more to greenhouse emissions, limiting their moral authority to demand such changes. Financial support from wealthier nations could assist in managing these costs.
Step-by-step explanation:
A developing country might not be able to afford the costs of reducing its emissions for several reasons. These countries prioritize critical immediate needs such as food, healthcare, and education over environmental standards. Additionally, economic growth in these countries is often heavily reliant on activities that generate emissions, such as burning fossil fuels or deforestation.
High-income countries have historically contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions and continue to do so on a per capita basis. Consequently, they have limited moral standing to insist that lower-income countries put environmental concerns above their developmental needs. For low-income countries, sacrificing an improved quality of life for a cleaner environment is a tough trade-off when they are already struggling with basic necessities.
Moreover, for high-income countries that desire lower greenhouse gas emissions from developing nations, financial support may be necessary. This could take the form of direct payments, investment in pollution-control technology, or through private market mechanisms like ecotourism.