November 11, 2024: As the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) opens in Baku, Azerbaijan, India is poised to focus on key issues that align with its national priorities, including sustainable development, energy security, and climate action. A core element of India’s approach will be its call for global respect of the Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) principle, which asserts that developed nations, owing to their greater historical responsibility for carbon emissions, must lead in mitigation efforts and provide financial support to developing countries.

India’s objectives for COP29 reflect its longstanding stance in climate negotiations, emphasizing the importance of balancing climate action with the need for equitable development. Indian officials have reiterated that the country will continue to advocate for climate policies that allow for sustainable economic growth while addressing the challenges of climate change. According to a senior official from India’s Ministry of Environment, "India’s position is clear: climate change must be addressed globally, but developed nations should bear a greater share of the responsibility for mitigating its impacts and supporting the developing world in both financing and technology transfer."

The ongoing conference is seen as a critical juncture for global climate action, particularly as the international community works to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Paris pact aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with efforts to restrict it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. For countries like India, whose development goals are closely tied to energy access, this challenge becomes particularly complex. India's growth trajectory requires a careful balance between reducing emissions and ensuring energy security and poverty alleviation.

A key issue at COP29 is the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance, which is set to replace the previous commitment by developed countries to mobilize $100 billion annually to support climate efforts in developing nations. The operationalization of the NCQG in 2025 is expected to be a defining moment for global climate finance, as countries like India seek clearer, more reliable funding mechanisms to address climate impacts, particularly in terms of adaptation and resilience.

At the same time, Indian officials have emphasized that the principles enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement must be upheld at COP29. They have warned against placing excessive or undue obligations on developing countries, which could undermine their social and economic development. India will also continue to advocate for a focus on technology transfer, which is critical for enabling developing nations to transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy systems.

With its delegation playing an active role at COP29, India will also push for concrete progress on loss and damage finance—focusing on vulnerable countries facing the brunt of climate impacts. At the same time, India will continue to advocate for policies that ensure a just transition, recognizing that the shift to a low-carbon economy must include provisions for workers and communities dependent on fossil fuel industries.

As COP29 unfolds, India’s leadership will be instrumental in ensuring that the global climate agenda remains fair, effective, and aligned with the development needs of the Global South.