Belém, Brazil – As the COP30 summit unfolds in Belém, Brazil, India has amplified its call for developed nations to take more decisive action on climate change, emphasizing that the global carbon budget is "rapidly depleting". Speaking at the World Leaders' Summit, India's Ambassador to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, advocated for equity in climate responsibilities, urging developed countries to accelerate their emission reductions and provide greater support to developing nations.
Bhatia stressed the need for developed countries to reach net-zero emissions much sooner than their stated targets and to invest substantially in achieving net-negative emissions. He highlighted that the next decade of climate action must prioritize implementation, resilience, and shared responsibility based on mutual trust and fairness.
India's call comes at a critical juncture, coinciding with the 10-year milestone of the Paris Agreement. Negotiators and leaders are expected to use this session to strengthen global ambition and finalize a roadmap for the post-2030 climate regime. The conference also revisits the legacy of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, which established the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR-RC). India continues to champion these values.
India has demonstrated its commitment to low-carbon growth by reducing the emission intensity of its GDP by 36% between 2005 and 2020, surpassing its targets ahead of schedule. Bhatia noted that non-fossil power now accounts for over 50% of India's total installed capacity, enabling the nation to reach its revised NDC target five years ahead of schedule. India has also expanded its forest and tree cover, which now constitutes 25.17% of its geographical area. With approximately 200 gigawatts of renewable energy, India is now the world's third-largest producer of renewable energy, with ambitious programs in solar, wind, green hydrogen, and biofuels transforming its energy landscape.
However, India has also emphasized that developing nations require access to affordable finance, technology, and capacity building to implement ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. Equitable, predictable, and concessional climate finance remains a cornerstone for achieving global climate goals.
India is expected to emphasize that developed countries can restore trust by honoring their past commitments and scaling up predictable, grant-based funding for adaptation, loss, and damage. At the pre-COP meeting in Brasília, India stated that COP30 must be the "COP of Adaptation" and focus on transforming climate commitments into real-world actions.
The UNEP reports that global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and current national pledges are insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement goals. The remaining carbon budget for a 1.5°C future is shrinking rapidly, with the world on track to exceed the limit within the next decade.
India has joined Brazil's new global fund for tropical forests as an observer, signaling its commitment to collective action for the preservation of tropical forests. The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) aims to mobilize around USD 125 billion through public and private investment to reward countries for protecting and expanding forests.
While India is making strides in renewable energy and has achieved its goal of blending 20 percent ethanol with gasoline ahead of schedule, challenges remain. Some users have reported issues with mileage and engine damage due to ethanol usage. New data also indicates that India's emissions are rising faster than its 2030 targets, though still far below major economies on a per capita basis. India aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and has set specific goals for 2030, including reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% from 2005 levels and meeting 50% of energy needs from renewable sources.
