Baku, Azerbaizan: Representing the Global South’s pressing concerns, India delivered a compelling statement at the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Climate Change Adaptation during the 29th Conference of the Parties (CoP29) to the UN Climate Change Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The statement underscored the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing countries and highlighted the urgent need for enhanced climate finance from developed nations.
“Developing countries are suffering the impacts of climate change largely due to the historical emissions of developed countries. For us as developing countries, our people’s lives—their very survival—and their livelihoods are at stake,” India asserted, emphasizing the existential challenges faced by vulnerable communities in the Global South.
Bridging the Climate Adaptation Gap
India’s intervention spotlighted the significant gaps in adaptation funding, echoing the findings of the Global Stocktake decision at CoP28. The UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience, adopted at the previous summit, was cited as a pivotal step in addressing these disparities. However, India stressed that effective implementation requires developed countries to mobilize financial support that is both ambitious and responsive to the unique needs of developing nations.
“The CoP28 Global Stocktake decision emphasized the need to bridge the tremendous gap in adaptation, gaps in implementation that arise from the lack of sufficient attention and resources,” the statement read. “This mobilization should go beyond previous efforts, supporting country-driven strategies while respecting the unique needs of developing countries.”
Call for Ambitious Post-2025 Finance Goals
India called for an ambitious New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance in the post-2025 period. Highlighting systemic challenges such as slow disbursement, rigid approval processes, and stringent eligibility criteria, India advocated for accessible and flexible financing mechanisms.
“The NCQG must reflect ambitious mobilization targets on grant or concessional terms. Current systems often hinder timely access to climate finance, which is critical for implementing urgent adaptation measures,” India said.
India’s Domestic Efforts and Adaptation Needs
India revealed that its adaptation financing has largely been sourced from domestic resources, a testament to its commitment despite limited external support. With its National Adaptation Plan under development, India projects a staggering requirement of $854.16 billion for building adaptation capital, as outlined in its Initial Adaptation Communication to the UNFCCC last year.
These figures underline the scale of financial support needed, especially for countries grappling with the dual challenges of development and climate resilience.
A Call to Action for Developed Nations
In a strong appeal to developed countries, India urged the fulfillment of long-standing climate finance commitments. “Meeting these commitments is essential to enable the world to travel through a pathway towards strides in creating a greener, more sustainable, and prosperous planet for future generations,” the statement concluded.
The address resonated with the broader concerns of the Global South, serving as a clarion call for equitable climate action. As CoP29 progresses, India’s leadership in advocating for fair climate finance distribution is expected to set the tone for constructive dialogues aimed at bridging the adaptation gap and fostering global resilience.
India’s emphasis on bridging the adaptation finance gap underscores the growing impatience of developing nations with the slow pace of international climate commitments. By calling for a paradigm shift in how adaptation finance is mobilized and disbursed, India reaffirms its role as a key voice for the Global South. Whether developed nations respond with actionable commitments remains to be seen.
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