Belém, Brazil – At the opening of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (CoP30) in Belém, Brazil, India has firmly stated that the fundamental architecture of the Paris Agreement must remain intact. Representing both the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) group and the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC), India emphasized the importance of adhering to the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). This principle acknowledges that while all countries need to contribute to reducing emissions, they should do so in accordance with their national circumstances and capabilities.
India's stance comes as the Paris Agreement marks its tenth anniversary, providing an opportunity to reflect on global climate action and future strategies. The Indian delegation, led by Environment Ministry Secretary Tanmay Kumar, cautioned against using this milestone to alter the agreement's core structure. They stressed that climate action should be rooted in fairness and shared responsibilities, particularly in light of the challenging geopolitical environment.
A key concern raised by India is the unmet climate finance commitments from developed countries. The nation urged developed countries to fulfill their legal obligations under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which mandates financial support to developing nations. India pointed out that adaptation finance needs to increase dramatically to meet global needs, as it is an urgent priority for billions of vulnerable people who are disproportionately affected by climate change.
Specifically, India called for a clear and universally agreed definition of climate finance, as well as strengthened and scaled-up public finance flows for adaptation. The current levels are insufficient, with adaptation finance needing to increase nearly fifteen-fold to meet global needs. India is also advocating for progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), supporting initiatives like the UAE–Belém Work Programme and the proposed Baku Adaptation Roadmap to ensure inclusive outcomes.
In addition to financial support, India emphasized the importance of technology transfer to developing countries. The delegation stressed that intellectual property rights and market barriers should not hinder affordable and equitable access to climate technologies. Furthermore, India highlighted that the UNFCCC Just Transitions Work Programme should prioritize people-centric, equitable, and just climate transitions, bridging the development gap between the Global North and South.
India also addressed the issue of unilateral climate-related trade measures, cautioning that they risk becoming tools of protectionism and contradicting the spirit of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Despite these challenges, India reaffirmed its commitment to climate action, highlighting its own efforts to reduce emissions and promote sustainable development. Between 2005 and 2020, India reduced the emission intensity of its GDP by 36%, and non-fossil power now accounts for over 50% of its installed capacity. India has also expanded its forest and tree cover, creating an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent between 2005 and 2021. The nation has emerged as the world's third-largest producer of renewable energy, with nearly 200 GW of installed renewable capacity.
India welcomed Brazil's initiative to establish the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF), joining as an observer and recognizing it as a significant step towards preserving tropical forests.
