India has urged developed countries to fulfil their climate finance obligations under the Paris Agreement, stressing that financial support is essential to help developing nations tackle climate change. Delivering India’s opening statement at the ongoing UN Climate Conference, COP31, in Antalya, Turkey, Environment Ministry Secretary Narendra Bhooshan said public funding from developed countries remains crucial for climate action in developing nations. He emphasised that developed countries must meet their obligations under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, which requires them to provide financial resources to developing countries. 

 

India also reaffirmed its commitment to international climate cooperation, calling for a fair and equitable outcome at the conference. The country stressed the importance of the principle of ‘Common But Differentiated Responsibilities’, which recognises that developed and developing nations have different responsibilities and capacities in tackling climate change. India also warned that the growing risk of global warming crossing the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold makes climate justice and equity more urgent than ever.

New Delhi highlighted the challenges of ensuring a just transition to clean energy and meeting the adaptation needs of developing countries, particularly those in the Global South. 

 

The two-week COP31 conference began on Monday in Antalya, with its President, Murat Kurum, urging countries to turn climate commitments into concrete action. He said the conference should focus on implementation and deliver tangible benefits to people’s lives. 

 

Meanwhile, a 2026 report by the UN Environment Programme estimates that developing countries will need around 305 billion dollars every year by 2035 to meet their climate adaptation requirements. However, international public finance from developed countries remains far below the estimated requirement.