Amid weather extremes, India to demand West up climate funding

India is expected to reiterate its call for adequate climate finance from developed nations, including contributions running into trillions of dollars annually, as the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) began in Baku on Monday against the backdrop of unprecedented weather extremes that have battered India as well as the world, and new signs that the globe is on track for more devastation.

- Jayashree Nandi

The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which is meant to replace the Global North's current annual commitment of $100 billion after 2025, tops the conference agenda, but this crucial climate financing domain has been marked by extreme divides. "India will continue to be vocal about the need for adequate finance for the Global South," a senior environment ministry official told HT, outlining the country's position ahead of the crucial negotiations in Azerbaijan's capital.

The official emphasised that India's approach would focus on national priorities for sustainable development, energy security, and climate actions while upholding the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).

Experts have described COP29 as one of the most consequential meetings for keeping alive the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to hold global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.