India Urges Rich Nations to Deliver Climate Finance Ahead of COP31

India has called for greater climate finance and technology support for developing countries ahead of COP31, saying the summit must restore trust through balanced and equitable implementation of climate commitments.

Speaking at a special event convened by the President of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Soumya Nair, Counsellor at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, stressed that climate action must respect national circumstances and development priorities.

“As India emphasised at Pre-COP in Fiji, our shared ground exceeds our differences. COP31 must restore trust through balanced implementation,” Nair said.

“Implementation must respect national circumstances and development imperatives, with practical support enabling developing countries to pursue nationally determined climate pathways,” she added.

FINANCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN FOCUS

India placed developed countries’ climate finance obligations at the centre of its priorities, alongside technology transfer and capacity-building.

“The Article 9.1 work program under the Paris Agreement should advance developed countries’ finance obligations, addressing scope and modalities first. Article 6 cooperation can mobilise additional resources,” Nair said.

She also urged COP31 to advance technology implementation and remove barriers to the transfer of climate technologies.

On adaptation, India said global efforts must serve vulnerable communities through predictable and accessible finance, technology and capacity-building. The process should avoid becoming overly technical or creating additional reporting burdens.

“India is finalizing its first national adaptation plan,” Nair said.

She highlighted demonstrations of climate-resilient agricultural technologies in 448 villages across 151 vulnerable districts, alongside water conservation and rainwater harvesting efforts under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan.

PROTECTING LIVELIHOODS AND DEVELOPMENT

India called for a just transition mechanism rooted in equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which recognises countries’ differing responsibilities and capacities to address climate change.

“COP31 should operationalise the just transition mechanism grounded in equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, safeguarding livelihoods and nationally determined development pathways,” Nair said.

She cautioned against unilateral trade measures, including carbon border adjustment mechanisms, shifting the burden of historical emissions onto developing countries.

Pointing to India’s energy transition, Nair said the country had achieved 50 per cent non-fossil fuel-based installed electricity capacity five years ahead of its 2030 target.

She also highlighted the PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar programme and the National Green Hydrogen Mission, along with India’s efforts to expand clean energy cooperation through the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

CONSENSUS MUST GUIDE CLIMATE ACTION

India said climate cooperation must remain inclusive and consensus-based. The global stocktake should strengthen existing commitments, particularly those concerning finance and other support needed for implementation.

“It should not become a vehicle for new mitigation obligations or sector-specific prescriptions which are outside the UNFCCC process,” Nair said.

Expressing support for the COP31 presidencies, she said India was ready for dialogue, technical cooperation and targeted capacity-building to secure a balanced outcome, particularly for the most vulnerable.

With inputs from ANI