India’s Stand on CoP 30 and the Paris Agreement: Upholding Equity and Climate Justice
India’s Stand on CoP 30 and the Paris Agreement: Upholding Equity and Climate Justice
At the 30th Conference of Parties (CoP 30) held in Belém, Brazil, India emerged as a leading advocate for equitable climate governance. Marking ten years since the Paris Agreement, the summit served as a critical juncture to assess global progress toward climate goals. India reaffirmed its commitment to the Paris Agreement’s principles of fairness, equity, and shared but differentiated responsibilities. At the same time, it urged developed countries to honor their unfulfilled promises of climate finance and technology transfer. Rooted in its developmental priorities and long-standing climate diplomacy, India’s stance at CoP 30 highlighted a vision where sustainability and development move together.
Defending the Paris Agreement Framework
India strongly opposed attempts by developed nations to alter or reinterpret the core structure of the Paris Agreement. According to India, such efforts would weaken the foundation of global climate cooperation and disproportionately burden developing countries that are already coping with the dual challenges of development and climate adaptation.
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, is built on mutual trust, transparency, and the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC). India warned that changing this architecture could erode the balance between developed and developing nations. The country emphasized that the agreement must remain inviolable, continuing to uphold equity, justice, and respect for historical responsibility. This firm defense reflects India’s long-held belief that climate change negotiations must be inclusive and just, not dominated by the economic or political interests of wealthier nations.
Reaffirming the Principle of CBDR-RC
Central to India’s climate diplomacy is the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), a cornerstone of the global environmental framework. India reiterated that all nations share responsibility in addressing climate change, but developed countries bear a greater burden due to their historical emissions and long-term industrialization.
India emphasized that developed nations must take the lead through deeper emission cuts, robust climate finance, and genuine technology transfer. This principle not only recognizes differences in economic capacity and developmental priorities but also ensures fairness in global climate action. India’s position underscores that developing countries should not be coerced into making the same sacrifices as developed nations when their per capita emissions remain significantly lower and developmental needs remain high. Upholding CBDR-RC ensures that climate justice remains central to international climate policy.
Bridging the Climate Finance Gap
One of the most pressing issues highlighted by India at CoP 30 was the massive gap between promised and delivered climate finance. Under the Paris Agreement, developed nations pledged to mobilize $100 billion annually to support developing countries in mitigation and adaptation efforts. However, actual disbursements have been far below this figure—while developing nations collectively require over $1.3 trillion annually to address the growing impacts of climate change.
At CoP 30, developed countries offered only $300 billion until 2035, a figure India deemed grossly insufficient. India stressed that climate finance must be predictable, transparent, and provided primarily as grants, not loans, to avoid worsening the debt burdens of developing countries. Additionally, it called for dismantling intellectual property barriers that restrict access to green technologies, arguing that genuine technology transfer is essential for a just energy transition.
India’s stand on finance reflects both pragmatism and principle, it advocates accountability from developed countries while emphasizing the need for sustainable, equitable global progress.
India’s Climate Achievements: A Record of Action
India’s domestic achievements underscore that its international climate advocacy is backed by real, measurable progress. Between 2005 and 2020, India reduced the emission intensity of its GDP by 36%, surpassing its Paris Agreement targets ahead of schedule. More than 50% of India’s installed power capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, signaling a decisive shift toward renewable energy.
The country has also made remarkable strides in expanding its green cover, creating an additional carbon sink of over 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent between 2005 and 2021. With an installed renewable energy capacity nearing 200 GW, India ranks third globally after China and the United States.
Initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), National Green Hydrogen Mission, and LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) movement further demonstrate India’s leadership in sustainable innovation. These milestones illustrate that India is not only meeting its commitments but exceeding them, despite having far lower historical emissions and per capita carbon footprints than most developed countries.
Strengthening Alliances for Collective Action
India’s climate diplomacy is strengthened by its collaborations with other developing nations. Through alliances such as the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDCs) and the BASIC group—comprising Brazil, South Africa, India, and China—India amplifies the voice of the Global South. These platforms promote shared objectives: equitable climate finance, technology access, and the defense of CBDR-RC.
India’s partnerships extend to nations such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cuba, and Egypt, forming a united front against climate injustice. Together, these countries emphasize that sustainable development must not be sacrificed for climate action. By positioning itself as a bridge between developed and developing nations, India plays a diplomatic role that blends environmental responsibility with developmental realism.
Through South-South cooperation and climate partnerships, India continues to share best practices in renewable energy, afforestation, and sustainable agriculture—reinforcing its image as a responsible and solution-oriented climate leader.
India’s Broader Vision for Climate Justice
Beyond specific negotiations, India’s stand at CoP 30 reflects a broader vision rooted in climate justice. The country envisions a global order where environmental responsibility aligns with social and economic equity. India argues that a just transition must protect the livelihoods of millions dependent on carbon-intensive sectors while enabling access to cleaner technologies.
India’s vision aligns with its developmental model, one that prioritizes inclusivity, innovation, and self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat). By integrating sustainability into economic planning, India aims to achieve its net-zero target by 2070 without compromising growth or poverty eradication. This approach stands as a model for developing nations seeking to balance economic aspirations with environmental commitments.
Furthermore, India’s leadership in global initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Mission LiFE reflects its belief that individual and community-level action can complement national and international efforts. Such initiatives embody India’s philosophy that environmental stewardship must begin with behavioral change and collective participation.
Conclusion: Toward a Fair and Inclusive Climate Future
India’s participation at CoP 30 reaffirmed its position as a global advocate for equity, sustainability, and shared responsibility. By defending the Paris Agreement’s framework, emphasizing the principle of CBDR-RC, and calling out the inadequacy of climate finance, India demonstrated a vision grounded in fairness and inclusivity.
The country’s achievements in renewable energy, emissions reduction, and forest conservation showcase its commitment to climate action despite limited resources. India’s proactive diplomacy through the BASIC and LMDC groups reflects its leadership in shaping a more balanced global climate agenda.
As the world faces escalating climate risks, India’s approach offers a vital reminder that climate action must be just, collaborative, and development-oriented. Upholding the Paris Agreement’s spirit, India continues to steer the global conversation toward a future where sustainability and equity coexist—ensuring that the path to Viksit Bharat 2047 is also a path toward a greener, fairer world.