Why in News ?
- At the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil (Nov 2025), India reiterated that the global climate regime must stay anchored in “equity and common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR)”.
- India cautioned against attempts to alter the Paris Agreement architecture (2015) during its 10th anniversary discussions.
- India, on behalf of LMDC (Like-Minded Developing Countries) and BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China), emphasized adaptation, climate finance, and early net-zero commitments by developed countries.
Relevance:
GS 2 – International Relations
• India’s stance on Paris Agreement architecture and CBDR principle
• Role in Global South, BASIC, and LMDC groups
• Climate negotiations and geopolitical divide on climate finance
• COP30 (Belém, Brazil) – agenda, expectations, and equity debate
GS 3 – Environment
• Implementation of NDCs and long-term low-emission strategies
• Climate adaptation, mitigation, and finance mechanisms
• Role of domestic policies aligned with global commitments
Background — Climate Governance Architecture
- UNFCCC (1992) – Established the principle of CBDR-RC (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities).
- All nations must act on climate, but responsibilities differ by historical emissions and capacities.
- Kyoto Protocol (1997): Binding emission targets only for developed nations.
- Paris Agreement (2015):
- Voluntary Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for all countries.
- Aims: Limit warming to well below 2°C, pursue 1.5°C.
- Introduced bottom-up approach, but reaffirmed CBDR.
India’s Key Points at COP30
(a) Defending the Paris “Architecture”
- India warned that revisiting or “reinterpreting” CBDR undermines trust and equity.
- Argued that developed nations must not shift the burden of mitigation onto developing countries under new terminologies like “net-zero alignment” or “global stocktake”.
(b) Focus on Adaptation
- India stressed adaptation as an equal pillar with mitigation — critical for the Global South facing:
- Heatwaves, floods, droughts, coastal inundation.
- Low adaptive capacity despite minimal per capita emissions.
- Called for submission of National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) aligned with national priorities.
- India’s own NAP and updated NDC (2035) are pending submission.
(c) Climate Finance Deficit
- Developed nations pledged only $300 billion/year by 2035, far below the $1.35 trillion demanded by developing countries.
- India highlighted:
- Chronic failure of the $100 billion/year (by 2020) promise.
- Need for predictable, new, and additional finance and technology transfer.
- Urged reforms in multilateral development banks (MDBs) to deliver concessional finance.
(d) Net-Zero and Negative Emissions
- India (and BASIC bloc) urged developed countries to:
- Achieve net-zero earlier than projected.
- Invest more in negative emission technologies (carbon capture, direct air removal, afforestation).
- India’s own net-zero target: 2070, announced at COP26 (Glasgow, 2021).
(e) Unity Among Global South
- LMDC & BASIC represent ~50% of global population.
- They collectively resisted attempts to:
- Dilute CBDR,
- Overemphasize mitigation targets, and
- Ignore adaptation and finance gaps.
Broader Context — Climate Politics 2024–25
- US withdrawal (Trump era) weakened Paris funding mechanisms.
- Finance pledge gap: Only $300 bn by 2035 vs demand for $1.35 trillion annually.
- COP28 (Dubai, 2023) – Global Stocktake exposed slow progress; developed nations missed targets.
- COP29 (Baku, 2024) – Disputes over the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on finance unresolved.
- Hence, COP30 becomes a make-or-break moment for rebuilding trust and revising commitments under equity.
Key Principles Reasserted by India
| Principle | Description | India’s Stand |
| CBDR-RC | Nations share responsibility based on capability & historic emissions | Non-negotiable |
| Equity | Developed nations must lead, developing nations need space for growth | Must guide all climate actions |
| Climate Justice | Least emitters suffer most impacts | Requires finance + adaptation focus |
| Adaptation–Mitigation Balance | Both pillars essential | Adaptation must not be sidelined |
| Climate Finance Accountability | Fulfilling past pledges, not creating new excuses | Must be frontloaded & transparent |
India’s Domestic Context
- NDCs (2015, updated 2022):
- Reduce Emission Intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005).
- Achieve 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
- Major Initiatives:
- National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) – 8 missions.
- LiFE Mission (Lifestyle for Environment, COP26 initiative).
- National Hydrogen Mission, PM Surya Ghar Scheme, E-Mobility, Biofuel blending.
- Adaptation Efforts:
- National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC).
- State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs).
Challenges for India
- Balancing development needs vs emission reduction.
- Securing low-cost finance and technology access.
- Increasing climate resilience in agriculture, water, health, and coastal sectors.
- Meeting energy transition goals amid global geopolitical volatility and supply-chain issues.
Global Implications
- India’s position strengthens the Global South narrative — equity, justice, and adaptation.
- Exposes continued North–South divide in climate negotiations.
- Reinforces need for trust restoration through genuine financial and technological transfers.
