BAKU: India will call for early adoption of the definition of climate finance to bring transparency in the process of its mobilisation and continue to engage constructively in all negotiations at the 29th session of UN climate conference (CO), beginning on Monday, said the country’s environment secretary Leena Nandan.
“Transparency and predictability within climate finance mechanisms are paramount,” Nandan told TOI ahead of the 12-day mega climate talks, where over 190 countries are expected to adopt a new post-2025 finance goal to mobilise adequate finance for helping developing countries implement their updated climate actions — both mitigation and adaptation.
The road to a new goal appears to be quite tough at this stage, specifically after Donald Trump’s win in the US presidential election as he had always been opposed to the Paris Agreement and any of the decisions taken by the Joe Biden administration under the pact.
“It is important for us the discussion at CO adheres to certain principles during finalisation of the NCQG,” said Nandan while stressing on its alignment with principles of UN Convention (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement.
Sharing the country’s broad strategy at CO, she said, “India will continue to engage positively and constructively in all negotiations while safeguarding its key interests, keeping in view common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) of developed and developing countries; flexibilities for developing countries; and consideration of foundational principles of the convention and its Paris Agreement.”
Her remarks assume significance as it means India will be strongly opposed to any move of developed nations to dilute UN Convention’s basic principles that put bigger responsibilities on rich nations to not only substantially reduce their carbon emissions but also contribute to climate fund.