The Hindu Editorial Analysis
11 November 2025
What South Asia Wants from COP30
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
Topic : GS Paper III: Environment – Climate Change | GS Paper II: Regional and Global Groupings & Agreements affecting India’s interests
Context
A decade after the Paris Agreement (2015), the climate crisis has worsened — with South Asia facing repeated monsoon floods, landslides, heatwaves, and rising sea levels.
As nations prepare for COP30 in Brazil (2025), the editorial emphasizes the need for collective South Asian leadership to address climate adaptation, regional cooperation, and equitable financing.
South Asia’s Climate Concerns
- Vulnerability to Climate Disasters:
South Asia’s geography makes it one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, with two billion people exposed to floods, glacial melt, and droughts. - Weak Multilateralism:
Withdrawal of global powers like the U.S. from climate commitments has tested international climate cooperation, compelling smaller nations to lead. - Implementation Deficit:
While pledges exist, delivery remains poor. The gap between finance promised and finance delivered undermines trust.
Priorities for South Asia at COP30
- Implementation and Finance:
Bridging the gap between pledges and outcomes is crucial. Countries demand clarity on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and stronger Loss and Damage Fund mechanisms. - Regional Climate Cooperation:
South Asia needs cross-border collaboration on disaster resilience and technology sharing.- India’s Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Sagarmatha Sambhad exemplify such partnerships.
- Adaptation and Mitigation Synergy:
The region’s focus must be on climate-resilient agriculture, renewable energy, and coastal protection. - Inclusive and Transparent Governance:
Local communities, women, and underrepresented groups should be integrated into climate decision-making. - Private Sector and Non-State Actors:
COP30 should encourage partnerships with private firms and civil society to mobilize climate innovation, technology transfer, and blended finance.
The Support South Asia Needs
- Technical & Institutional Capacity: Build domestic readiness for climate data tracking, risk assessment, and adaptation planning.
- Financial Commitments: Developed nations must scale predictable and accessible funding, possibly through instruments like the Green Climate Fund and Adaptation Fund.
- Trust Building: Climate finance must be equitable, transparent, and inclusive.
Way Forward
- Launch a South Asian Resilience Finance Facility to support regional adaptation and mitigation efforts.
- Strengthen digital and data infrastructure to measure progress on adaptation and mitigation.
- Encourage regional compacts for green technology, early warning systems, and coastal resilience.
Conclusion
South Asia stands at the frontline of the global climate crisis. At COP30, the region must move beyond victimhood to climate leadership — demanding fairness in finance, inclusivity in governance, and unity in regional action.
“South Asia’s voice at COP30 must echo both vulnerability and vision — resilience built on cooperation, and growth built on sustainability.”