New Delhi: India reaffirmed its commitment to climate justice and equity at the opening of the UN Climate Change Conference (CoP30) in Brazil, delivering statements on behalf of the BASIC group (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) and the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC).
Speaking at the plenary, India underscored the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC) as the foundation of global climate action. The statement called for the full and effective implementation of the UNFCCC, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement.
India emphasized that climate finance remains the key barrier to enhanced ambition, urging developed countries to define climate finance clearly, strengthen public finance flows for adaptation, and honour their legal commitments under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement to support developing nations.
Marking 10 years of the Paris Agreement, India noted that adaptation financing must increase nearly 15-fold to meet global needs. It warned that significant shortfalls remain in doubling international public finance for adaptation by 2025. “Adaptation is an urgent priority for billions of vulnerable people who have contributed the least to global warming but suffer the most from its impacts,” the statement said.
Calling for a strong outcome on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), India supported agreement on a minimum set of indicators with flexibility for national circumstances, along with advancing the UAE-Belém Work Programme and launching the Baku Adaptation Roadmap.
On technology, India stressed the need for equitable access to climate technologies, urging that intellectual property and market barriers should not obstruct technology transfer to developing countries.
India also highlighted the importance of a just and equitable transition, calling for action-oriented outcomes under the UNFCCC Just Transitions Work Programme that narrow the development gap between the Global North and South.
Cautioning against unilateral climate-related trade measures, India warned that such actions could become instruments of protectionism and undermine the spirit of international cooperation under Article 3.5 of the Convention.
Speaking for both BASIC and LMDC, India reiterated that the architecture of the Paris Agreement must remain intact, with CBDR-RC as its cornerstone. Developed nations, it said, must reach net-zero emissions earlier, invest in negative emissions technologies, and fulfil their obligations on finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
India concluded by expressing its commitment — along with BASIC and LMDC partners — to a constructive and balanced outcome at CoP30, in the interest of humanity and the protection of Mother Earth.