COP31: India urges developed countries to fulfil climate finance obligations
Down To Earth · Published 10 November 2026 · Last updated
At COP31 in Antalya, India urged developed nations to honour climate finance obligations under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, demanding equity, just transition, and adaptation support for the Global South.
Key points
- India called on developed countries to fulfil their mandatory climate finance obligations under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.
- Delivering India's opening statement on November 10, 2026, Narendra Bhooshan, Secretary of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, championed equity and CBDR-RC.
- India reaffirmed its commitment to climate multilateralism, describing the UNFCCC and the 2015 Paris Agreement as the most inclusive platforms where every sovereign state retains a voice.
- New Delhi endorsed the vision of COP31 President Murat Kurum for a 'COP of Implementation' founded on the three tenets of Dialogue, Consensus and Action.
- The Indian delegation expressed deep concern over global warming crossing the 1.5°C threshold, stressing that equity is vital to ensure no community is left behind.
- India asserted that public finance from developed nations remains indispensable for catalysing climate action and strengthening the flow of funds for adaptation in developing economies.
- The opening statement underscored that just transition and adaptation needs are fundamental challenges for the Global South, inherently linked to socio-economic development.
- India aligned with the G77 and China coalition on the Climate Finance Work Programme to press developed nations on their funding delivery mechanisms.
- The summit saw developing economies flag unilateral climate-related trade measures alongside predictable finance and technology transfer as crucial negotiating priorities.
Background
- In 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) adopted the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) in recognition of historical greenhouse gas emissions.
- The 2015 Paris Agreement set the global target to hold warming well below 2°C and pursue efforts toward 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, developed country Parties undertook the specific legal obligation to provide financial resources to developing country Parties for both mitigation and adaptation.
- Developing nations established the Climate Finance Work Programme to assess and enforce the delivery of financial pledges from industrialised states.
- Pre-summit deliberations for COP31 saw developing countries raise concerns over lagging adaptation funding, slow technology transfer, and protectionist green trade policies.
- On November 10, 2026, the COP31 climate negotiations formally opened in Antalya, Türkiye, confronting an immediate clash between developed and developing blocs over financial commitments.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: Down To Earth