India at UNFCCC CoP30
Background
Venue: Belém, Brazil.
Event: Closing Plenary of UNFCCC CoP30 .
India released a High-level Statement outlining its climate position, priorities, and concerns.
Major Highlights
Support for CoP30 Presidency
India appreciated the inclusive and balanced leadership of the Brazilian Presidency.
Referenced the Brazilian ethos of Mutirão (collective effort).
Acknowledged the Presidency’s role in bringing climate finance to the forefront.
Progress under Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)
India welcomed advancement on GGA.
Emphasised the equity dimension.
Reiterated that developing countries face overwhelming adaptation needs due to high vulnerability.
Climate Finance and Article 9.1
Strong emphasis on the unfulfilled obligations of developed countries.
Recalled commitments made 33 years ago in Rio (1992 Earth Summit).
Appreciated CoP30 for initiating discussions focused on Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement (obligation of developed countries to provide financial resources to developing countries).
India expects long-pending climate finance commitments to finally materialise.
Just Transition Mechanism (JTM)
Establishment of JTM considered a major outcome of CoP30.
India sees JTM as a tool to operationalise:
Equity
Climate justice
Fair transition for workers and communities, both globally and nationally.
Opposition to Unilateral Trade-restrictive Climate Measures
India thanked the Presidency for creating space to discuss these measures.
India criticised such measures as:
Violative of principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
Increasingly harming developing countries.
Stated that these issues can no longer be ignored and must be addressed collectively.
Protection of Vulnerable Populations
India cautioned that nations with the least historical responsibility must not bear disproportionate mitigation burdens.
Highlighted need for:
Stronger global support mechanisms.
Focus on populations in the Global South, who face escalating climate impacts.
India’s Principled Climate Approach
Climate action must be:
Science-based
Equitable
Respect national sovereignty
Consistent with a rules-based global order
India reaffirmed commitment to inclusive, just, and equitable climate ambition.
Call for Global Solidarity
India urged cooperation to ensure:
Fairness
Shared prosperity
Collective responsibility in climate action
Appreciated Brazil’s leadership and sought cooperation moving forward.
Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA):
Origin and Meaning
The Paris Agreement (2015), Article 7 established the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA).
Aim:
Enhance adaptive capacity
Strengthen resilience
Reduce vulnerability to climate change
Ultimate purpose: contribute to sustainable development and ensure adequate adaptation response linked to the temperature goal in Article 2 (1.5°C objective).
- The UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience sets out eleven thematic and dimensional targets to achieve the GGA and established a process to identify indicators to guide assessments of global progress towards the GGA.
Why GGA Is Complex
Mitigation progress can be tracked using a single metric (emissions reduction).
Adaptation is multi-dimensional:
Different hazards, sectors, geographies
No universal unit of measurement
Hence, a framework and indicators are needed, not a single metric.
Major Developments in the Evolution of GGA
Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh Work Programme (COP 26, 2021)
Launched by the CMA (Conference of Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement).
Purpose:
Deepen understanding of the GGA.
Conceptualise approaches, metrics, and means of implementation.
Bodies involved:
SBSTA (Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice)
SBI (Subsidiary Body for Implementation)
Activities:
Series of workshops and negotiations from 2021 to 2023.
CMA 4 (2022–23): Initiation of the GGA Framework
Parties began developing an operational framework for GGA.
Goals of the framework:
Guide achievement of GGA.
Review global progress on adaptation.
Address increasing risks, vulnerabilities, and impacts.
Enhance adaptation action and support.
2023 focus: discussions on targets under the GGA framework.
CMA 5 (2023): UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience
Adopted as part of the UAE Consensus during COP 28.
The framework introduced:
Thematic targets (e.g., water, health, food systems, ecosystems).
Dimensional targets (e.g., planning, finance, capacity, technology).
Purpose:
A structured system for global tracking of adaptation and resilience outcomes.
UAE–Belém Work Programme (2023–2025)
CMA 5 established a two-year programme to:
Develop indicators for measuring progress toward GGA targets.
SB 60 provided guidance on:
Structure and modalities of this work.
SB 60 requested Chairs to:
Convene technical experts for advancing the indicator development process.
A formal list of experts has been created.
Regional Perspectives (UNEP’s Global Adaptation Network)
UNEP’s Global Adaptation Network (GAN) organised regional consultations across:
Asia–Pacific
Africa
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)
Purpose:
Understand regional needs, vulnerabilities, and priorities.
Feed these into shaping an inclusive and equitable GGA framework.
Why GGA Matters for Developing Countries
Adaptation needs are largest in vulnerable regions of Global South.
Helps secure:
Financial support.
Technology transfer.
Capacity building.
Strengthens global equity and operationalises Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR–RC) in adaptation.
Prelims Practice MCQs
Q. With reference to the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), consider the following statements:
It was introduced under Article 7 of the Paris Agreement.
It sets a single global metric to track adaptation progress.
It aims to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability.
Which of the statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: Adaptation does not use a single metric (S2 incorrect).
Q. The Glasgow–Sharm el-Sheikh Work Programme on GGA, launched at COP 26, is primarily aimed at:
A. Negotiating mitigation targets under Article 4
B. Developing a global carbon pricing mechanism
C. Understanding, conceptualising and operationalising the GGA
D. Establishing a compliance mechanism for developed countries
Answer: C
Q. Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, recently highlighted by India at CoP30, primarily deals with:
A. Reporting obligations of all Parties
B. Provision of climate finance by developed countries
C. Global stocktake procedures
D. Technology transfer mechanisms
Answer: B
Explanation:
Article 9.1 mandates that developed countries must provide financial resources to assist developing countries in mitigation and adaptation.