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In an exclusive interview with News18, Lusigi said India’s climate action is not just about cutting emissions, but also about protecting livelihoods and a just transition
The year’s biggest climate change conference—COP30—is set to begin in Belem, Brazil, on November 10. (Representational image: Canva)
Accessible and equitable climate finance for developing countries is more urgent than ever, said Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India, ahead of the UN Climate Change conference COP30 set to open in Belem, Brazil, on Monday.
Describing COP30 as a pivotal moment, she emphasised that the world must now move beyond lofty promises to real, measurable action that delivers tangible benefits for people and the planet.
Speaking to CNN-News18 in an exclusive interview, Lusigi, who has worked extensively on ensuring sustainable development, said the UN climate conference must deliver on scaling up adaptation while focusing on communities that are most impacted by climate change.
“Second, it must look towards unlocking climate finance, without which climate action is not possible. COP30 should also ensure progress towards a just transition. As India moves to a low-carbon economy, it’s important to create alternative livelihoods, reskill workers, and strengthen social protection so that we can generate jobs,” she highlighted.
The year’s biggest climate change conference—COP30—is set to begin in Belem, Brazil, on November 10, with leaders and representatives from over 195 countries set to discuss the next phase of global climate action. The Brazilian Presidency has framed COP30 as an “Implementation COP”, releasing a series of letters outlining its agenda and vision for the summit—including proposals on forests, finance, and clean energy.
Lusigi said UNDP India is already working with the Jharkhand government, a major coal-producing state, towards its work on just transition and building a future-ready workforce. “India’s climate story is not just about cutting emissions but also about empowering people, protecting livelihoods, and building a greener and fairer world,” she said.
India has already committed to a Net Zero target of 2070 and has already reached the landmark target of attaining 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources—five years ahead of the 2030 deadline set under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement.
She also underscored the need for equitable and accessible finance for developing countries, especially in the wake of the disappointment surrounding the new climate finance target (NCQG) agreed to at last year’s COP in Baku.
“What matters is not just how much climate finance is made available, but how it is used, and whether it truly reaches communities driving change on the ground,” she said, highlighting that in India, UNDP is also working with West Bengal and Karnataka to develop climate finance facilities to channel resources where they are needed most.
Talking about her expectations for the upcoming COP30, Lusigi said she is hopeful that India will continue to lead climate discussions in the spirit of equity and inclusion.
Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo…Read More
Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo… Read More
November 08, 2025, 08:00 IST
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