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France issued a warning on Monday that it might withhold climate financing to India if New Delhi does not step up its efforts to combat global warming. This statement came amidst ongoing discussions over a recent trade agreement between India and the European Union.
Monique Barbut, France’s Minister of Ecological Transition, emphasized to AFP that the EU should adopt a tougher, more strategic approach in climate negotiations, favoring a policy that conditions financial support on concrete action. She highlighted India as a key example, noting that under their January trade agreement, the EU plans to allocate €500 million ($574 million) to support India’s green transition.
She expressed skepticism about releasing the funds until India submits a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) aligning with its climate commitments and shows a more cooperative attitude toward the EU on climate talks. NDCs are national plans to reduce emissions tied to the 2015 Paris Agreement, and over 60 countries, including India, Egypt, and the Philippines, have yet to submit their latest version, missing a UN deadline last year.
India ranks as the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, after China and the United States.
Broadly, Barbut called for the EU to take a more assertive and strategic stance in climate negotiations, making it clear that support should be contingent upon genuine commitments. She conveyed her concerns directly to the European Commission and pointed out that European financial contributions should only go to countries with credible climate action plans under the Paris Agreement.
EU climate ministers are scheduled to review the bloc’s climate diplomacy at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday.
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