India’s Heatwave Disaster Tag Highlights Global Climate Finance Gap Ahead of COP31

India’s recognition of heatwaves as natural disasters has highlighted the growing need for international climate adaptation finance, with experts warning that developing countries are struggling to secure adequate resources to protect vulnerable communities from rising temperatures.

With the UN climate conference COP31 scheduled in Türkiye from November 9 to 20, the funding gap is expected to feature prominently in negotiations. Krishna S Vatsa, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), said international assistance could significantly strengthen India’s efforts to implement heat adaptation measures.

“Resources available for adaptation are inadequate and unpredictable,” he told PTI Videos, emphasising the need for reliable funding and access to efficient cooling technologies. According to India’s first Adaptation Communication submitted to the UN climate process in 2023, the country estimated cumulative adaptation expenditure requirements of Rs 56.68 trillion by 2030. The Economic Survey 2025 indicated that 98 per cent of India’s adaptation finance comes from domestic sources.

Vatsa said India was using national and state disaster mitigation funds to address heat-related risks, while encouraging states to prepare and implement heat action plans. He stressed that international support could improve the scale and speed of interventions.

Benjamin Hickman, who leads the UN Environment Programme’s Cool Coalition programme in India, said climate finance must reach vulnerable communities through practical funding mechanisms and locally designed solutions. He highlighted the need to upgrade schools, shelters and care homes with heat-resilient infrastructure and make efficient cooling affordable.

The UNEP’s Adaptation Gap Report 2025 estimates that developing countries will require more than USD 310 billion annually by 2035 for adaptation, at least 12 times current international adaptation finance flows.

Sanjay Vashist, director of Climate Action Network South Asia, called for developed countries to assume greater responsibility under the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities.

He said adaptation funding must increase substantially as global warming intensifies climate risks. Experts said predictable international finance, technological support and community participation would be crucial to strengthening heat resilience across vulnerable regions.