India Criticises Developed Nations for Climate Crisis During ICJ Hearing

During a significant hearing at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday, India criticised developed nations for their role in the climate crisis. India accused these countries of exploiting the global carbon budget and failing to fulfil climate-finance commitments. Now, they are pressuring developing nations to limit their resource usage. The court is evaluating the legal responsibilities of countries in tackling climate change and the repercussions of non-compliance.

India's representative, Luther M Rangreji, joint secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasised that if contributions to environmental degradation are unequal, then responsibilities should also be unequal. He highlighted that developing countries suffer the most from climate change despite contributing the least. Meanwhile, developed nations, historically the largest contributors, possess the technological and economic resources to address this issue effectively.

Climate Finance Commitments

India criticised wealthy nations for enjoying fossil fuel benefits while discouraging developing countries from using their own energy resources. Rangreji stated, "Countries which have reaped development benefits from exploiting fossil fuels demand developing countries to not utilise the national energy resources available to them." This highlights a disparity in expectations between developed and developing nations.

The lack of action on climate-finance promises was another point of contention for India. The USD 100 billion pledged at the Copenhagen COP in 2009 by developed countries and the promise to double contributions to the Adaptation Fund have not materialised into concrete actions. India described the new climate finance package agreed at COP29 in Azerbaijan's Baku as inadequate and too distant to address the urgent needs of developing countries.

Commitment to Climate Targets

India reaffirmed its dedication to its climate targets under the Paris Agreement but cautioned against overburdening its citizens. "There is a limit on how much we burden our citizens, even when India is pursuing Sustainable Development Goals for one-sixth of humanity," it stated. This underscores India's commitment to balancing environmental goals with domestic welfare.

The hearing stems from years of advocacy by Pacific island nations and Vanuatu, leading to a UN resolution requesting an advisory opinion from the ICJ. Over two weeks, 98 countries, including small island states and major emitters, will share their perspectives. Although non-binding, the ICJ's opinion could establish a moral and legal standard in global climate change efforts.