What was it like being at COP30 in Belém? Reflections from a first-time observer

The upcoming 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled to be held in Belém, Brazil, represents a critical juncture in global climate action. The reflection from a first-time observer aptly describes these summits as not merely negotiating forums but also arenas of 'narrative contestation.' This dual nature is fundamental to understanding the complexities and challenges of forging international consensus on climate change.

**Background Context and Historical Trajectory:**

Global concern over climate change gained significant traction in the late 20th century, leading to the landmark Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It was here that the UNFCCC was adopted, establishing an international environmental treaty to combat "dangerous human interference with the climate system." The UNFCCC entered into force on March 21, 1994, and its supreme decision-making body is the Conference of the Parties (COP), which meets annually. Key milestones include the Kyoto Protocol (1997), which set binding emission reduction targets for developed countries, and the Paris Agreement (2015), a more inclusive accord aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels. The Paris Agreement introduced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), where each country voluntarily pledges its climate actions.

**What Happens at COPs and Narrative Contestation:**

COPs serve as platforms for countries to review progress, negotiate new commitments, and address implementation challenges. The agenda typically covers mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions), adaptation (adjusting to climate impacts), loss and damage (addressing unavoidable impacts), and climate finance (funding for developing nations). The term 'narrative contestation' highlights the struggle among diverse stakeholders to define the problem, assign responsibility, and shape solutions. Developed nations often emphasize shared responsibility, while developing nations stress the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), arguing that historical emissions place a greater burden on industrialized countries. The location of COP30 in Belém, within the Amazon region, itself presents a powerful narrative, drawing attention to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and the rights of indigenous communities.

**Key Stakeholders Involved:**

Numerous actors converge at COPs. **State Parties** are the primary negotiators, divided often along geopolitical and developmental lines (e.g., G77+China, EU, AILAC). **International Organizations** like the UNFCCC Secretariat, UNEP, and the Green Climate Fund facilitate negotiations and implementation. **Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)**, including environmental NGOs (e.g., Greenpeace, WWF), indigenous peoples' groups, youth activists (e.g., Fridays for Future), and academic institutions, play a crucial role in advocacy, monitoring, and holding governments accountable. The **Private Sector**, including fossil fuel industries, renewable energy companies, and financial institutions, also participates, influencing policy and showcasing solutions. The **Scientific Community**, primarily through the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), provides the foundational scientific assessments that inform policy decisions.

**Significance for India:**

For India, a rapidly developing economy with a large population, COPs are immensely significant. India is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including extreme weather events, sea-level rise affecting its vast coastline, and disruptions to its monsoon-dependent agriculture. As a major emitter, but with relatively low per capita emissions, India champions the principle of CBDR-RC, advocating for developed nations to provide adequate climate finance and technology transfer to enable its transition to a low-carbon economy. India's commitments under the Paris Agreement, including its updated NDCs (e.g., achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030), demonstrate its proactive stance. India's domestic policies, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and its eight missions, the Ujjwala Yojana, PM-KUSUM, and the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement, are directly influenced by international climate dialogues and aim to balance development with sustainability.

**Constitutional Provisions and Broader Themes:**

India's commitment to environmental protection is enshrined in its Constitution. **Article 48A** (Directive Principle of State Policy) mandates that "The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country." Furthermore, **Article 51A(g)** (Fundamental Duty) states that "It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures." These articles provide the constitutional basis for environmental legislation like the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and numerous policies. Climate change interlinks with broader themes of governance (multi-stakeholder participation), economy (green growth, energy transition), and international relations (multilateral diplomacy, North-South divide, climate justice).

**Future Implications:**

Post-COP28's Global Stocktake, which identified a significant gap in achieving the Paris Agreement goals, COP30 will likely intensify calls for accelerated action. Future COPs will focus on enhancing NDCs, operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund, increasing climate finance flows, and promoting adaptation measures. The 'narrative contestation' will continue, particularly concerning equitable burden-sharing, the role of fossil fuels, and the definition of 'climate justice.' India's leadership among developing countries will be crucial in shaping these discussions, advocating for a balanced approach that supports sustainable development while addressing the global climate crisis.