At the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, India expressed strong opposition to the newly adopted USD 300 billion climate finance package for the Global South, calling it inadequate and untimely. Indian representative Chandni Raina, Adviser to the Department of Economic Affairs, voiced her country’s disapproval, emphasizing that the package fails to meet the critical needs and priorities of developing nations grappling with the impacts of climate change.
Raina criticized the process, stating that India was not given an opportunity to voice its concerns before the deal’s adoption. She argued that the package disregards the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) and equity, which are foundational to global climate negotiations. “USD 300 billion does not address the scale of challenges faced by the developing world and undermines the essence of equitable climate action,” she added.
India’s stance received support from other nations, including Nigeria, which dismissed the package as a “joke,” and countries like Malawi and Bolivia, which also criticized the agreement.
The deal, while aimed at aiding the Global South in combating climate change, has drawn significant criticism for being insufficient to address the urgent financial and developmental challenges faced by these countries. India’s rejection highlights the persistent divide between developed and developing nations over climate finance and equitable solutions to global environmental challenges.
