30th Climate Conference
The 30th United Nations Climate Conference (COP30) held in Belém, Brazil ended on 22 November. This conference once again strengthened the belief that the solution to a global crisis like climate change is possible only through multilateral cooperation. From India’s side, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav led the talks at this important meeting and played an important role in shaping the outcome of the conference in the interest of India and other developing countries.
The biggest outcome of COP30 was Global Mutirao, which is a global initiative to unite the world against climate change. Along with this, the conference took several major decisions, including increasing the adaptation finance threefold by 2035, launching the Just Transition Mechanism, creating a Global Implementation Accelerator, and a two-year work program on climate finance. These decisions are aimed at helping countries strengthen their climate action in line with the 1.5°C temperature limit.
India’s priorities got full recognition
Bhupendra Yadav clearly said that COP30 fulfilled all the major expectations of India. India’s priorities on climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, just transition and opposition to unilateral trade policies were clearly visible in the 29 decisions of the conference. Preparing a two-year special work program on the financial responsibilities of developed countries under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement is being considered a major success for India. India’s demand regarding the Adoption Goals was that they should be flexible, should not impose additional burden of reporting and each country should decide the indicators according to its own circumstances. The results of COP30 were in line with this demand.
India’s balanced stance on fossil fuels and de-forestation
Roadmaps on fossil fuels and de-forestation were not part of the COP process this time. India noted the Fossil Fuel Roadmap as relevant to its energy security and development needs, while welcomed the Forest & Climate Roadmap. The launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility was also notable in the conference, in which India supported as an observer.
India opposes trade tax like CBAM
India strongly opposed unilateral carbon taxes like the EU’s CBAM and said climate action should not be used for trade discrimination. India ensured that this was recorded in the official document of COP30.
America’s absence India said no impact
Yadav clarified that despite the absence of America, the COP30 process remained strong. All the countries together showed better multilateral cooperation and took meaningful decisions.