India's COP 30 Focus: Equity, Finance and Credible Action
COP30 marks the first “implementation COP” where “pledges are measured against actual delivery”.
India's COP 30 Focus: Equity, Finance and Credible Action
At the ongoing “30th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP30)” in Belém, Brazil, India emphasised“equity, finance, and credible action” for driving global climate progress. Speaking on behalf of both the “BASIC bloc (Brazil, South Africa, India, China)” and the “Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC)”, India stressed that developed nations must honour their obligations under the “Paris Agreement”, particularly “Article 9.1”, which mandates financial support to developing countries for climate mitigation and adaptation.
India highlighted that the world is celebrating “10 years of the Paris Agreement and 33 years of the UN Climate Convention”, but emphasised that these milestones should not be used to alter the core principles of equity and “Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)”. “Adaptation finance needs are ever increasing, and the existing gap is substantial,” said Suman Chandra, Director, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. India urged developed countries to scale up “public finance, technology transfer, and capacity building” to support vulnerable nations.
COP30 marks the first “implementation COP” where “pledges are measured against actual delivery”. India pointed out that despite ambitious climate targets worldwide, the “finance and implementation gap” remains significant. Reports show that climate finance flows are currently insufficient, with global pledges falling far short of the USD 400 billion per year sought by developing nations. India called for a “clear, transparent, and universally agreed definition of climate finance” to ensure predictability, accessibility, and trust.
The Indian delegation also emphasised the need for “developed countries to reach net zero earlier”, preserve remaining carbon space for developing nations, and invest in “negative emissions technologies”. India’s message highlighted that adaptation is the “most pressing priority” for billions in developing countries who have contributed least to global warming but are facing the greatest impacts.
India also showcased its own climate achievements: a “36% reduction in GDP emission intensity” between 2005 and 2020, over “50% installed capacity in non-fossil fuels”, and close to “200 GW of renewable energy capacity”. It demonstrated that development and climate ambition can progress together.
COP30 is not a forum for pledges only. India’s interventions highlight that “finance, equity, and measurable action” are essential to bridge the ambition, implementation, and perception gaps — setting the tone for a climate-resilient future for the developing world.