India at COP29 strongly raised concerns over climate action inequities, urging the global community to rethink the imposition of unilateral trade measures and demanding greater climate finance for the Global South. India called for a broader definition of ‘Just Transition’ to ensure fairness and equity in the global fight against climate change.
India’s Call for Climate Equity at COP29: A Staunch Opposition to Unilateral Measures
India has made its voice heard loud and clear at the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, calling for a fair, just, and equitable approach to the global climate transition. A recurring theme of India’s statements at COP29 has been the imbalance between the developed and developing worlds when it comes to climate responsibilities, a disparity that has often led to uneven progress in the fight against climate change.
Unilateral Trade Measures: An Obstacle to Developing Countries’ Growth
A key concern raised by India is the imposition of unilateral trade measures by developed countries. Specifically, India pointed to carbon taxes on imports, such as those imposed by the European Union. These measures, India argues, unfairly target developing nations and impose unnecessary burdens on their economies, hampering their ability to grow sustainably.
India has repeatedly emphasized that developing countries should not bear the full cost of the transition to a low-carbon economy. The issue of trade restrictions, particularly those that prevent developing countries from accessing global markets on fair terms, was once again brought to the forefront at COP29. At the start of the conference, China, representing the BASIC group (Brazil, South Africa, India, China), had already called for the inclusion of unilateral trade measures on the official agenda.
However, despite initial resistance, India took the opportunity to bring up the issue again, noting the adverse impacts of such trade restrictions. In its official statement, India emphasized that the implementation of coercive climate policies without considering their impact on the developing world only increases inequities in the global climate discourse.
A “Just Transition” with Global Equity at its Core
India also voiced its concerns about the growing trend of “top-down” approaches in climate action, particularly in the context of the “Just Transition” principle. While India supports the idea of a just transition to low-carbon economies, it is staunchly against prescriptive methods of formulating Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). According to India, climate action plans should remain “nationally-determined,” as outlined in the Paris Agreement, and not be imposed by external actors.
“Just transition” refers to ensuring that the shift to a low-carbon economy is carried out in a fair and inclusive manner, taking into account the economic and social realities of all countries, particularly the Global South. India has reiterated that the transition to low-carbon economies should not be a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather should accommodate the specific needs of individual countries.
Addressing Climate Finance Failures
India’s Environment Secretary, Leena Nandan, also raised the issue of climate finance, calling it one of the most critical enablers for a just transition. Developed countries, according to India, have failed to meet their financial obligations, which include providing adequate financial resources to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts. This has been an ongoing grievance at international climate negotiations.
The failure of developed countries to fulfill their climate finance commitments has left many developing nations without the necessary resources to address the effects of climate change, which disproportionately affect their most vulnerable communities. Without significant financial assistance, India argues, it will be impossible for developing countries to transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future while also meeting their development goals.
India’s Proposal: A Comprehensive Global Dialogue
India’s interventions at COP29 have consistently called for a more comprehensive global dialogue on climate justice, one that goes beyond just emission reductions. India advocates for a discussion on key enablers and dis-enablers of global transition, such as the intellectual property rights on green technologies and the carbon debt owed by developed countries for their historical carbon emissions.
India’s position reflects the growing frustration among developing nations over the slow pace of climate finance and the lack of genuine international cooperation. India’s calls for a “just” transition go beyond emissions reduction to address the global imbalances that continue to hinder the development prospects of poorer countries.
A Call for Global Cooperation and Fair Transition
India’s participation at COP29 has highlighted the need for global cooperation in addressing climate change, with fairness and equity at its core. The country has called for discussions that encompass all aspects of climate justice, from trade restrictions to financial support, and from technology transfer to historical responsibilities. For India and other developing nations, the fight against climate change is not just about reducing emissions, but also about ensuring that the Global South is not left behind in the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future.
As COP29 moves forward, India’s advocacy for an inclusive and just global transition will continue to play a crucial role in shaping international climate policies and ensuring that the voices of developing countries are heard and respected in the global climate discourse.
