India played key role in shaping COP30 outcome

The establishment of a two-year work programme on the Paris Agreement’s Article 9.1, which mandates that developed countries provide resources to developing nations for climate action, was a significant outcome atthe 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil's Belém. Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, who led India’s delegation at COP30, said this re-anchors the global climate finance debate in terms of the actual legal obligations of developed nations under the agreement. In an interview with HT, Yadav said he believed that COP30 has restored faith in multilateralism with developing countries seeing a structured process capable of holding developed nations accountable for the first time in years. Edited excerpts:

- JayashreeNandi Nandi

Whatis India’s impression of the Global Mutirao (the Brazilian word for consensus) cover decision focusing on cooperation and implementation, and the Belém political package on negotiated decisions on climate actions?

India welcomes the Global Mutirdo cover decision and the Belém political package as balanced and forward-looking outcomes. COP30 has fully met our expectations and strongly reaffirms India’s leadership and commitment to climate multilateralism. India played a central role in shaping the Mutirao decision, demonstrating that multilateralism is working and must remain the foundation of global climate action.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in unequivocal terms that the fight for a greener tomorrow must be just and equitable. am glad the 29 decisions of COP30 Clearly reflect India’s priorities for climate finance, including adaptation finance, adaptation, technology implementation programme, just transition, and concerns regarding unilateral trade measures,

By leading the like-minded developing countries, India secured anew two-year work programme under Article 9.1 to refocus attention on the legally binding finance obligations of developed countries. Our persistent efforts also advanced global discussions on unilateral trade measures.

India’s key expectations on the Global Goal on Adaptation—flexibility, voluntary nature of indicators, nationally determined indicators, no extra reporting burdens, and continued technical refinement—are all embedded in the COP30 outcome. We also ensured the establishment of the Technology Implementation Programme and a new institutional arrangement for just transition, reflecting developing-country priorities.

Overall, COP30 has delivered on India's core objectives, thatis, promoting inclusivity, safeguarding the interests of developing nations, and strengthening trust in the multilateral process.