New Delhi:
As COP29 entered its crunch time of negotiations in Baku, India stressed that the final outcome must be grounded in equity and climate justice. Countries are negotiating to finalise a finance deal to replace the previous $100 billion target set in 2009.
Delivering India’s national statement at the year’s biggest annual climate summit in Azerbaijan, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, said COP29 is historic because the decisions made here will enable those in the Global South not only to take ambitious mitigation action but also to adapt to climate change. “The outcome must be clear and ambitious and consider the evolving needs and priorities of the developing countries, and their commitment to sustainable development and eradication of poverty,” he emphasised.
India has pushed for at least $1.3 trillion every year until 2030 to be mobilised by the developed countries through grants, concessional finance and non-debt-inducing support, as part of the new climate finance target.
Many developing countries, including India, have consistently highlighted the huge financial burden faced by these nations in mitigating climate change, as well as dealing with loss and damages. India emphasised that in such emergent situations, there is no option but to break all barriers to the flow of technology, finances and capacity to the Global South.
With the next round of NDCs due next February, India also urged developed countries to take the lead in mitigating climate change by not just fast-tracking their Net-Zero targets but by providing enough carbon space for countries in the Global South. The statement also firmly asserted how the developed countries have resorted to unilateral measures, making climate actions more difficult for the Global South.
“The breach of carbon space is imminent towards the end of this critical decade. The high carbon emission development pathways followed by the Global North in the past have left very little carbon space for the Global South. However, our growth trajectories to meet the essential needs of sustainable development and poverty eradication cannot be compromised,” said Singh.
The statement also highlighted India’s ambitious climate action plans, asserting that it remains on track to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel installed capacity by 2030. “We achieved our 2015 NDC targets on emission intensity reduction and non-fossil-based installed electricity generation capacity much earlier than 2030 and have further enhanced our ambition,” India stated, while also highlighting its push for a sustainable lifestyle through Mission LiFE.
