Don’t Use COP30 to Change the Paris Deal ‘Architecture’: India

Context

• At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, India emphasised that the climate conference should focus on adaptation, especially as 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement.
  • India cautioned that COP30 must not be used to alter the ‘architecture’ of the Paris Agreement, which is built on the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).
  • India urged the Brazil COP Presidency to make a special call for countries to submit their National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).

Key Highlights

1. India’s Position at COP30

• India asserted that countries must stay committed to equity and CBDR, the foundation of the Paris Agreement’s climate action framework.
  • India stressed that all countries must do their bit, but without compromising national development priorities.
  • India opposed any attempt to “sideline or redesign” the Paris framework.

2. Climate Finance Concerns

• With the U.S. withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and developed countries failing to meet the $100-billion per year finance pledge, adaptation finance is dwindling.
  • Developing countries, including India, argue that this violates past commitments.
  • Developed nations mobilised only $300 billion in climate finance; adaptation saw only $32 billion, far below needs.

3. National Adaptation Plans

• India urged Brazil to push parties to submit NAPs, which outline climate vulnerability assessments, required adaptation measures, and pathways up to 2035.
  • Many developing countries have not yet submitted NAPs due to capacity and financial constraints.

4. LMDC Statement

• India delivered the statement on behalf of the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) grouping – which includes China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Cuba, and others.
  • LMDC collectively stressed that:

• Adaptation must be central to COP30.
• Developed nations must meet climate finance commitments.
• CBDR must remain the foundational principle.

Relevant Prelims Points

1. Paris Agreement Architecture

• Based on Equity + CBDR–RC (Respective Capabilities).
  • Three pillars: Mitigation, Adaptation, Finance.
  • Five-year NDC cycle; flexibility for developing nations.

2. CBDR Principle

• Origin: Rio Earth Summit, 1992.
  • Recognises historical responsibility of developed nations.
  • Allows differentiation in climate obligations.

3. National Adaptation Plan (NAP)

• A planning tool under UNFCCC for assessing climate risks and designing long-term adaptation strategies.
  • Key components: vulnerability mapping, sectoral adaptation pathways, institutional strengthening, and financing needs.

4. Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC)

• A negotiating bloc under UNFCCC advocating climate justice and equity.
  • Major members: China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Cuba, Malaysia.

5. Adaptation Finance

• Part of the $100 billion annual commitment (due 2020, now extended to 2025).
  Relevant Mains Points

1. India’s Climate Diplomacy

• Strong focus on equity, climate justice, and fair share of global carbon budget.
  • India pushes for adaptation parity with mitigation in global climate discussions.

2. Concerns for Developing Nations

• Insufficient climate finance → threatens resilience-building.
  • Technology access barriers.
  • Pressure to adopt stringent mitigation measures despite low historical responsibility.

3. Importance of Maintaining Paris Architecture

• Protects developing countries from disproportionate obligations.
  • Ensures differentiation in mitigation timelines and financial responsibilities.
  • Provides flexibility for domestic development priorities.

4. India’s Demands at COP30

• Reinforce adaptation as a central theme.
  • Developed countries must:

• Fulfil finance pledges.
• Support capacity building and technology transfer.
• Avoid attempts to shift burden onto developing nations.

5. Way Forward

• Establish a robust global adaptation finance mechanism.
  • Develop transparent guidelines for NAPs and ensure implementation support.
  • Strengthen global climate accountability through:

• Clear finance tracking
• Enhanced transparency framework
• Inclusive Global Stocktake
  • Promote South-South cooperation in adaptation technologies and early-warning systems.