India at COP30: Developed Nations Must Honour Legal Climate Finance Obligations

India reaffirmed its commitment to equity, multilateralism, and climate justice at the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, urging developed nations to fulfil their legally binding responsibilities for finance, technology transfer, and capacity building under the Paris Agreement.

Speaking on behalf of the BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China) and Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) blocs, India underscored that climate finance remains the biggest obstacle to global climate ambition and demanded clear definitions, transparency, and scaling up of public finance for adaptation.

“Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement places a binding responsibility on developed countries to provide financial resources to developing nations,” India stated during the opening plenary session.

India’s Message: Climate Finance Is Not Charity, It’s a Legal Obligation

India emphasised that developed countries — who have historically contributed the most to global greenhouse gas emissions — must meet their legal and moral responsibilities to support the Global South in its low-carbon transition.

Citing the disproportionate burden faced by developing nations, India called for a fifteen-fold increase in adaptation finance to support billions of vulnerable people “who contributed the least to global warming.”

India’s delegation reiterated that the Paris Agreement architecture must not be altered, asserting that “Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)” remain the cornerstone of global climate cooperation.

“Equity and fairness are not slogans—they are the foundation of effective climate action,” the Indian negotiator said.

Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Barriers

India also pressed for reliable, affordable, and equitable access to climate technologies, urging the removal of intellectual property rights (IPR) and market barriers that restrict the transfer of clean technologies to developing countries.

The delegation argued that innovation monopolies by major economies delay the energy transition for poorer nations and widen the adaptation gap.

“Without open access to technology, climate finance commitments lose meaning,” India said.

Warning Against Climate-Linked Trade Barriers

In a strong intervention, India warned against the rise of unilateral trade measures—such as the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)—that impose carbon tariffs on imports from developing countries.

Such measures, India argued, violate Article 3.5 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which prohibits trade restrictions disguised as climate action.

“These policies risk turning into protectionist tools that punish the Global South for a problem created by the Global North,” the Indian representative said.

Bolivia, on behalf of the LMDC, has formally proposed that unilateral trade actions be added to the official COP30 agenda, though the Brazilian Presidency has opted to handle the issue through consultations outside the formal negotiation track.

Reiterating the Call for Early Net-Zero and Negative Emissions from the West

India also reminded developed countries of their historical responsibilities, calling on them to:

• Reach net-zero emissions earlier than developing nations.

• Invest in negative emissions technologies.

• Meet long-standing finance and technology transfer promises.

“It is unjust that those who caused the climate crisis continue to dictate its solutions,” India said, noting that delayed targets by advanced economies shift the burden to developing nations still addressing poverty and energy access.

Finance Architecture and Transparency

India called for the restructuring of the global climate finance architecture, demanding that developed nations report transparent, verifiable data on funds delivered.

It reiterated that public finance—not market-based instruments—must form the backbone of climate funding and that private investments cannot replace state commitments.

India further urged that adaptation funding—which currently accounts for less than 20% of total climate finance—be increased dramatically to build resilience in vulnerable economies.

“Adaptation cannot remain the forgotten pillar of climate action,” India said, urging the creation of dedicated mechanisms under Article 9.4 of the Paris Agreement.

India’s Position: Defending the Developing World’s Voice

India’s statement at COP30 reflected its dual role as both a developing nation and an emerging global power, aligning with the positions of other Global South leaders seeking accountability from the industrialised world.

By speaking for the BASIC and LMDC blocs, India reinforced the collective demand that developed nations:

1. Honour their $100 billion annual finance pledge, long overdue since 2020.

2. Define a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for post-2025 climate finance.

3. Ensure the Paris Agreement framework remains equitable and inclusive.

COP30 Presidency Faces Tough Balancing Act

The Brazilian Presidency, led by Environment Minister Marina Silva, faces the challenge of mediating between industrialised and developing nations, especially on unresolved issues such as:

• Implementation of Article 9.1 (finance obligations).

• Addressing the 1.5°C target gap.

• Ensuring transparency of national data and climate commitments.

Analysts say the summit’s outcomes will test whether COP30 can restore trust in global climate governance, amid increasing disillusionment among developing countries.

India’s Broader Climate Diplomacy

India’s stance at COP30 builds on its growing leadership in South-South climate cooperation. It has launched global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), promoting clean energy and adaptation solutions.

While India continues to reduce emissions intensity and expand renewables, it maintains that its developmental needs and energy access priorities must be respected.

“Our path to sustainability cannot come at the cost of growth and poverty eradication,” an Indian official said.

The Bottom Line

As COP30 enters critical negotiations, India’s message remains consistent:
Developed countries must deliver on what they promised.

Without predictable finance, fair technology access, and respect for equity, developing nations say global climate goals will remain aspirational rhetoric rather than achievable reality.

“Climate justice is not a request—it is a right,” India declared at Belem.