Updated on: Nov 04, 2025

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) approaches in Belem, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, India is prioritizing adaptation as a central issue in its negotiations, according to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. Speaking to the media on Monday, Yadav highlighted that finalizing adaptation indicators will be a critical objective for India at the conference, emphasizing the need for rationalization based on national circumstances, financial capacity, technology, and implementation readiness.

Adaptation Indicators and National Context

“Adaptation is an important issue at COP30. The adaptation indicators need to be rationalized. It will be a big issue. Indicators must be rationalized, based on national circumstances, finance, technology, capacity, etc.,” Yadav said. The discussion is expected to focus on Article 7.1 of the Paris Agreement, which establishes the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience, and reduce vulnerability to climate change.

The minister underlined that while defining indicators is necessary, implementation of adaptation measures should proceed rapidly. Yadav pointed to parallel discussions on the Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP), Mitigation Work Programme (MTWP), and matters related to climate finance as essential components that need progress.

India’s approach at COP30, he noted, will emphasize the practical application of adaptation measures, ensuring that reporting and indicators do not become administrative burdens for developing countries. “Indicators are a means to drive ambition, not an end in themselves. As adaptation narratives gain momentum, it is imperative to ensure that they do not divert attention from implementing concrete adaptation actions,” said a note by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).

Global Goal on Adaptation and Work Programmes

The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) was adopted under the Paris Agreement in 2015, but progress remained limited until 2021. The Glasgow-Sharm el-Sheikh (GlaSS) work programme, initiated over two years, culminated at COP28 in 2023 with the adoption of the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience (UAE FGCR). This framework outlines 11 targets for the GGA and also launched the UAE-Belem Work Programme to establish indicators to track progress.

As of now, the work programme has produced a final list of 100 potential indicators to guide adaptation efforts. These indicators aim to track and measure progress on resilience and adaptive capacity, but India, along with other developing nations, stresses that they should remain tools for action, not bureaucratic exercises. The upcoming COP30 discussions will focus on negotiating and adopting these indicators, ensuring that they reflect national realities and priorities while supporting practical adaptation strategies.

Adaptation Finance Gap

Finance remains one of the most significant challenges for adaptation. According to the Adaptation Gap Report 2025: ‘Running on Empty’ by the United Nations Environment Programme, the annual finance required by developing countries for adaptation by 2035 is likely to exceed $310 billion, which is 12 times current international public adaptation finance flows.

In 2023, adaptation finance provided to developing countries was $26 billion, down from $28 billion in 2022, leaving a gap of $284–339 billion per year. When considering Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans, the annual adaptation finance required could rise to $365 billion. Yadav emphasized that mobilizing sufficient climate finance will be a priority for India at COP30 to ensure that adaptation measures are effectively implemented on the ground.

Technology Implementation

In addition to finance, technology deployment is another critical area for India. Following the global stocktake at COP28 in Dubai, countries identified key technology priorities, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate-resilient infrastructure. COP30 is expected to build on these priorities, with discussions on scaling up technology access and implementation, particularly for developing countries that face capacity constraints.

Yadav stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation to ensure that technology transfer and financial support align with national circumstances and priorities. India has consistently advocated for strengthening multilateralism, emphasizing that COP30 is a significant milestone, marking ten years of the Paris Agreement.

India’s Domestic Climate Initiatives

While international negotiations are critical, Yadav also addressed India’s domestic climate and environmental management efforts. On Delhi’s air pollution crisis, he noted that pollution levels are lower than last year, highlighting government efforts across multiple sectors.

Yadav said the agriculture ministry and state authorities have coordinated to manage crop stubble burning, with 60–70% of stubble processed or utilized this year, leaving only 20–30% remaining. On industrial pollution, 980 red-category industries were identified for stricter monitoring by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to reduce environmental impact. Construction and demolition waste management is also being addressed in collaboration with the Delhi government.

He added that the government has permitted green crackers during the festival season and continues to monitor air quality, ensuring that preventive measures are enforced in high-pollution areas.

Strategic Approach at COP30

India’s strategy at COP30 will involve a combination of domestic achievements and global advocacy. By rationalizing adaptation indicators, mobilizing finance, and enhancing technology transfer, India aims to accelerate resilience-building measures while ensuring that developing countries are not overburdened with reporting requirements.

The country’s position emphasizes that adaptation indicators should be action-oriented, enabling policymakers and stakeholders to measure progress and implement tangible solutions without turning adaptation into a mere compliance exercise. India’s focus on finance and technology underscores the broader goal of equitable climate action, particularly for vulnerable communities facing the direct impacts of climate change.

Conclusion

As COP30 approaches, India is placing adaptation at the forefront of climate negotiations, seeking to finalize indicators, mobilize finance, and implement technology solutions to enhance resilience. Bhupender Yadav’s statements reflect a pragmatic approach, balancing global commitments under the Paris Agreement with national priorities and capacity constraints.

India’s delegation will advocate for meaningful indicators, effective financial flows, and technology support to ensure that climate adaptation measures are both ambitious and feasible, enabling communities to withstand the adverse impacts of climate change while supporting sustainable development.

By linking international negotiations with domestic actions, India aims to strengthen its leadership role at COP30 and demonstrate that adaptation is not only a global obligation but also a practical necessity for national resilience and sustainable development.