India to push for fair climate finance at COP31, practical solutions | Today’s news
NEW DELHI: India will push for equitable climate action, predictable climate finance and practical solutions for developing countries at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9 to 20, 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said on Tuesday.
Yadav said India will approach the summit with a solution-oriented vision, focusing on the priorities of the Global South, including capacity building, knowledge sharing and geographically specific climate solutions.
Yadav said India will work closely with the G-77 and China, the Group of Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) and the BASIC bloc, which includes Brazil, South Africa, India and China, to advance the interests of developing countries.
Read also | Green finance is the backbone of resilient economies, says the Environment Minister
Climate finance is expected to be among India’s key priorities at the summit. New Delhi will seek a decision to launch a work program for climate finance, with Yadav stressing that developed countries must meet their financial obligations under Article 9.1 The Paris Agreement.
He said climate finance should be predictable, largely public and concessional, and should not increase the debt burden of developing countries.
India will also oppose top-down climate targets, arguing that mitigation efforts and the global inventory process should remain partisan, facilitative and non-repressive, while respecting the nationally determined nature of countries’ climate commitments, the minister said.
Adaptation will remain the other main focus of India’s negotiating position. The country will promote voluntary indicators under the Global Adaptation Goal (GGA) to ensure that they do not become a condition for accessing climate finance. India will also seek increased financial support for adaptation measures.
Read also | India pushes for climate finance ahead of COP31
Regarding the just transition agenda, India will support the continuation of the just transition work program through the party-led mechanism. Yadav said the country’s approach will be guided by climate justice, right to development and access to affordable energy.
Technology transfer will also be high on India’s agenda. The minister said that developed countries must fulfill their commitments on technology transfer, while barriers related to cost, intellectual property rights and trade need to be addressed. India will also argue that participation in carbon markets should remain voluntary.
The government will also emphasize that voluntary initiatives under the Presidency Action Program should remain separate from formal negotiations and that global climate targets must take into account the different national conditions of individual countries.
Read also | India pushes for climate finance ahead of COP31
In addition to the talks, India will highlight the link between the need for adaptation in agriculture, food security and the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers. His commitments at COP31 will include LeadIT 3.0 with Sweden, in addition to high-level side events on coastal resilience, panels on the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and forests.
Yadav said India will play a constructive role in building bridges at the Antalya summit and strive to ensure that global climate discussions move beyond commitments towards effective implementation, adequate financial support and equitable outcomes.
