India has flagged rich countries' climate finance commitments

New Delhi: India has stepped up pressure on developed countries to meet their climate finance commitments, saying poorer countries cannot be expected to shoulder the rising costs of fighting climate change while meeting their own development needs.

Climate Finance

At the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Antalya, Turkey, India said equity, adaptation and a just energy transition must remain central to global climate negotiations, especially for developing economies.

In India’s opening statement, Narendra Bhooshan, secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, said developed countries have an obligation under the Paris Agreement to provide financial resources to support climate action in developing countries.

India has called for more financial support for developing economies, particularly to help them adapt to growing climate risks and make a just transition to cleaner energy. The call comes at a time of growing concern that global warming will exceed 1.5°C.

Bhooshan reaffirmed India’s commitment to climate multilateralism and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC).

India highlighted that Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement obliges developed countries to provide financial resources to developing countries to support climate action. “Public finance from developed countries remains central to accelerating climate action in developing countries and strengthening adaptation finance flows to address their vulnerabilities,” the government said in a press release.

India also reiterated its commitment to contribute its fair share to global climate action while striving for the development and well-being of its people. She emphasized that just transition and meeting adaptation needs remain significant challenges, particularly for the Global South, where they are closely linked to the challenge of development itself.

India also welcomed the COP31 presidency’s vision of a ‘COP of Implementation’, focused on dialogue, consensus and action, and said the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement remain the most inclusive platforms for global climate cooperation.