India is set to champion the cause of adaptation at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), scheduled to take place in Belém from November 10-21. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has identified the finalization of adaptation indicators as a significant agenda item for the nation. Speaking at a briefing, Yadav stated, “Adaptation is an important issue at COP30. The adaptation indicators need to be rationalised. It will be a big issue. Indicators must be rationalised, based on national circumstances, finance, technology, capacity etc.”
Yadav highlighted the importance of discussing Article 7.1 of the Paris Agreement, which focuses on the global goal of adaptation. He stressed that while discussions are important, the implementation of adaptation support must be accelerated. Progress on the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) and Mitigation Work Programme (MTWP), alongside advancements in climate finance, are also critical for India.
Looking beyond COP28’s global stocktake, which focused on technology priorities and scaling up renewable energy, Yadav pointed out that technology implementation will be a key aspect of COP30. He remarked, “COP30 is a very important meeting. India has said COP30 should strengthen multilateralism. We have already endorsed this important issue at the pre-cop meeting. It is also a very significant milestone because COP30 marks ten years of the Paris Agreement.”
On the progress of the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), established in 2015, Yadav noted that while progress was limited until 2021, the subsequent work programme culminated in the adoption of the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience at COP28. This framework includes 11 targets for the GGA and has initiated the UAE-Belem Work Programme on GGA indicators. The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) has identified a potential list of 100 indicators for negotiation at COP30.
CEEW emphasized that these indicators should serve as a catalyst for ambition rather than an end in themselves. They cautioned against adaptation becoming merely a reporting exercise or an administrative burden for developing countries, stressing that the primary goal is to use these indicators to accelerate concrete adaptation actions.
The article also referenced a recent report indicating that adaptation finance for developing countries by 2035 could exceed $310 billion annually, a significant increase compared to current international public adaptation finance flows. International adaptation finance stood at $26 billion in 2023, highlighting a substantial finance gap.
In other news, Yadav provided updates on Delhi’s air quality, noting that levels are lower than the previous year. He also mentioned that India is expecting eight more cheetahs from Botswana by the end of the year.