At the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, India, speaking for the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs), adopted a firm stance, urging developed nations to meet their climate finance commitments.
India stressed that the failures of developed countries in providing financial and technological support are hindering the ability of developing nations to achieve their climate goals, particularly their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Key Takeaways
- Developed nations are legally obligated to provide climate finance and technology to developing countries.
- Adaptation, not mitigation, is the primary focus for developing nations.
- Developing countries are already exceeding their fair share of climate action.
- Attempts to alter the Paris Agreement architecture and shift responsibilities are being resisted.
Developed Nations' Climate Finance Failures
India sharply criticised developed countries for not honouring their climate finance obligations under the Paris Agreement. Negotiator Suman Chandra highlighted that financial resources from developed nations are a critical enabler for climate action in developing countries.
Without predictable, transparent, and reliable financial support, developing nations cannot achieve the necessary mitigation and adaptation levels to meet their NDCs.
The agreement on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) was deemed "suboptimal" as it lacked clear commitments from developed countries and failed to adequately address Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which outlines the legal obligation for developed nations to provide finance.
Adaptation Over Mitigation for Developing Nations
India reiterated that for developing countries, adaptation is the main priority, not mitigation. The country argued that adaptation finance is a legal obligation of developed nations, yet attempts have been made to dilute these obligations.
Developing nations are already doing "more than their fair share" and cannot be expected to prioritise climate action over their development imperatives, such as poverty eradication and energy security. The focus remains on achieving sustainable development, which is seen as the best defence against climate change.
Resisting Attempts to Overturn Paris Agreement Architecture
India, on behalf of the LMDCs, warned against attempts to "overturn the architecture of the Paris Agreement."
The group emphasised that the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is primarily the responsibility of developed nations, and this burden cannot be shifted to developing countries due to their own failures. India stressed that developing countries would not be forced to fill the mitigation gaps left by the inaction of developed nations.
The country also highlighted the importance of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR) as cornerstone principles of the climate regime.
Successes and Roadblocks at COP30
Despite facing "immense roadblocks" from developed countries, particularly on adaptation finance, developing nations managed to secure space for future discussions on critical issues.
Two long-standing concerns were onboarded for future COP discussions: a work programme to discuss all matters related to climate finance, including Article 9.1, and the acknowledgement of developing countries' positions on unilateral trade measures like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
While a call was made to triple adaptation finance by 2035, the process was obstructed by developed countries. India expressed regret over efforts to dilute adaptation finance provisions and the continued resistance on focusing discussions solely on Article 9.1.
