India has withdrawn its offer to host the Conference of the Parties (COP33) in 2028, and it's a shrewd move. The Loss and Damage Fund, meant for the Global South to recover from climate change, has stalled due to lack of contributions from developed nations.
The UNFCCC has weakened since the US left, making it ineffective without key polluters. Hosting a negotiation without them won't help the developing world.
The ongoing West Asia war is a live lab for energy security and its impact on India. Despite India's strides in renewables, the most vulnerable are still suffering.
The war's emissions and environmental impact will be felt globally, so why host a semi-functional COP when geopolitics snubs climate?
India should focus on holistic, green, low-carbon development at home and participate in the UNFCCC as part of the global community.
