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India pushes for Just Transition Mechanism at COP30

22 Nov 2025 GS 3 Environment
India pushes for Just Transition Mechanism at COP30 Click to view full image

Context

  • Ahead of COP30 (Belém, Brazil, 2025), India has strongly advocated creation of a Just Transition Mechanism grounded in Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR–RC).

  • India criticised unilateral climate-related trade restrictions imposed by developed countries.

India’s Key Positions

1. Just Transition Mechanism (JTM)

  • India seeks a formal mechanism under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.

  • Purpose: bridge gaps in finance, technology transfer, and capacity building for developing nations.

  • Should be based on:

    • Equity

    • CBDR–RC

    • National circumstances

    • Ensuring “no one is left behind”

2. Opposition to unilateral trade measures

  • India highlighted that unilateral climate trade policies:

    • Violate equity and justice principles

    • Penalize developing economies

    • Undermine multilateralism

  • Implicit reference to EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and similar measures.

Just Transition and UAE Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP)

JTWP

  • Established: COP27 (2022)

  • Operationalised: COP28 (2023) in the UAE.

  • Objective: integrate just transition planning into global mitigation actions and national pathways.

  • At COP30, JTWP has become a major negotiating issue.

India’s Stance within JTWP

  • Strong support for creating a Just Transition Mechanism as a concrete, outcome-oriented instrument.

  • Emphasis on practical solutions rather than declaratory frameworks.

Broader Negotiation Themes at COP30

1. Phasing down/out of fossil fuels

  • Over 190 countries negotiating pathways.

  • India insists any fossil-fuel phase-out must be:

    • Differentiated

    • Consider historical responsibility

    • Reflect developmental needs of Global South

2. Scaling up renewable energy

  • Requires predictable support: finance + technology.

  • JTM would help developing nations transition without economic disruption.

3. Finance and equity

  • India reiterates:

    • Climate finance must be adequate, accessible, and concessional.

    • Developed nations must deliver on climate commitments (100 billion USD and beyond).

    • Transition costs cannot be shifted to poorer countries.

Why India is pushing for JTM?

Economic

  • Fossil-fuel dependent sectors employ millions in India and Global South.

  • Transition without support → unemployment, economic disruption.

Geopolitical

  • Developed nations increasingly using climate policy as trade policy.

  • JTM prevents climate measures from becoming tools of protectionism.

Climate justice

  • India argues that fairness requires:

    • Developed countries to lead the transition

    • Developing nations to get support based on need and capability.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Q. The proposed Just Transition Mechanism advocated by India at COP30 seeks to be grounded primarily in:

  1. Equity

  2. Historical Responsibility

  3. CBDR–RC

  4. Nationally Determined Contributions being legally binding

Select the correct answer:
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: b)
Explanation: India emphasises Equity and CBDR–RC. Historical responsibility is implicit but not explicitly stated in India's remarks; binding NDCs are not demanded.

Q. The UAE Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP) was:

a) Created at COP15 and operationalised at COP16
b) Created at COP21 and operationalised at COP22
c) Created at COP27 and operationalised at COP28
d) Created and operationalised at COP29

Answer: c)
Explanation: JTWP established in 2022 (COP27) and operationalised in 2023 (COP28).



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