COP31 focus will shift from pledges to delivery, India’s role crucial: Simon Stiell

The world has taken significant steps to slow down global warming since the Paris Agreement, but now it's time to focus on implementation, says Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

He made these comments during his visit to India, just before the COP31 meeting. According to Stiell, prior to the Paris Agreement, the world was headed for a significant increase in temperature, nearly 5°C, but now that number has decreased to 2.5°C. “This shows that the agreement is having a positive impact, but there's still a lot of work to be done.” 

Stiell said COP31 must become the defining moment for demonstrating what implementation means in practice. “There will always be issues to negotiate, but there is already enough agreed upon for countries to double down on implementation,” Stiell said. The success at COP31 would be measured by how governments translate existing commitments into action, he added.

India a solar superpower

Calling India a “solar superpower”, Stiell said the sector had pushed up living standards, and along with other renewables, saved India US$18 billion in fossil fuel purchases last year alone, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency.

“India’s solar manufacturing capacity has increased 75-fold since 2014. New data from IRENA shows India is currently the most competitive solar market in the world on generation cost, producing cheaper power than any other major economy. India is a leader in a global trend,” Stiell said. 

India visit focused on energy transition, renewables and COP31 priorities 

Stiell, who is on a three-day visit to India, said he had meetings with top officials from several key government departments. These included the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, NITI Aayog, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and the Ministry of External Affairs. The main topics of discussion were India's preparations for the upcoming COP31, the country's negotiating priorities, and its progress in areas like energy transition, electrification, and renewable energy deployment, he said.

The discussions focused on understanding both the opportunities India is pursuing and the challenges it is facing, especially as it works to accelerate the clean energy transition, he added.

"It is important to understand the opportunities being taken advantage of in India and to share solutions that can benefit other countries, while also learning from problem-solving approaches elsewhere," he said.

Stiell said his conversations with the Ministry of External Affairs focused on India being a strong proponent of the multilateral climate process, particularly at a time when this process is facing increasing strain.

He also said he would be meeting private sector stakeholders to discuss strengthening their engagement in the climate process and ensuring that the global economy moves closer to achieving climate goals. 

“Climate change affecting every continent”

Accelerating climate impacts themselves have become the strongest driver of climate action, Stiell said. “Extreme heat is a particular challenge for countries that have not traditionally experienced it, such as parts of Europe. It is remarkable to see the impacts of extreme heat in places where this has not been the norm,” he said, citing wildfires, droughts and the approaching Atlantic hurricane season as evidence that climate change is affecting every community on every continent.

Even added that the eyes of those who questioned climate realities were “beginning to open”.

Paris Agreement commitment remains strong despite US absence

Amidst geopolitical turmoil and the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under the current administration, Stiell noted 149 countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement and tackling climate change. "Irrespective of the absence of the US, there is commitment from others and we will be doubling down on it," he said.

Grids, storage and electrification key challenges for energy transition

Stiell identified electricity grids and energy storage as among the most urgent technical challenges facing India and other similar economies undergoing energy transition.

He added that electrification, with a particular focus on grids and storage, would be among the key priorities under the COP31 presidency.

"Through international cooperation we can identify common solutions," he said.

Adaptation finance remains a major challenge

Stiell also identified finance as another critical area. While India has opportunities to mobilise public and private investment for decarbonisation and electrification, adaptation finance continues to lag because it lacks a strong commercial incentive, he said.

"Adaptation finance will still be inadequate, but meeting basic obligations is a start," he said.

Stiell said countries left Baku with agreement on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) and a roadmap to mobilise $1.3 trillion. "These goals cannot be met through public finance alone," he said. "It is for governments, financial institutions and the private sector to develop innovative financing mechanisms. The UN Climate Change secretariat is creating the space for those conversations to evolve."

COP31 success will depend on delivery, not new pledges

Looking ahead to COP31, Stiell said what makes this year’s event different is that there
are no major big-ticket outcomes expected. He, however, noted that the COP31 agenda remains extensive with numerous technical issues requiring progress.

"The focus now needs to be on implementation of commitments already made, beginning with countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)," he said. 

Governments will be expected to report back on the progress in delivering on their climate pledges, alongside greater emphasis on the action agenda and developments in the real economy, Stiell added.

He pointed to outcomes from COP30 in Brazil, including significant financial pledges for grid storage, saying progress in delivering such commitments would also be a key measure of success at COP31.

India an important voice in climate negotiations

Describing India as "an important voice" in the climate negotiations, Stiell said the country not only represents the concerns of developing nations, but also brings valuable domestic experience that can serve as a model for others.

Reflecting on the recent Bonn climate talks, he said negotiations had produced "mixed results", leaving substantial work to be completed inter-sessionally before COP31.

Climate process needs evolution after 30 years of convention

When asked about the importance of upholding the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) during negotiations at COP31, Stiell said it remains firmly embedded within the climate framework.

"The Paris Agreement has already clearly established the obligations that exist for all countries. What is now required is for all parties to fulfil those obligations," he said.

Stiell also confirmed that discussions are underway on strengthening the UN climate process as the world marks a decade since the Paris Agreement and three decades since the UN climate convention.

"I have initiated discussions with experts on how the process can evolve. We shared some of those ideas in Bonn and will now undertake wider consultations with parties before reporting back later this year," he said.