Piyush Goyal Slams Europe At Berlin Dialogue On Climate Finance And CBAM

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has launched a sharp attack on Europe regarding climate change and trade policies. Speaking at the Berlin Global Dialogue 2026 held in the capital of Germany, Berlin, he heavily criticized the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and trade policies. He also reminded developed nations of their unfulfilled promises regarding climate financing of 100 billion dollars.

Piyush Goyal is on an official visit to Germany and the Netherlands from October 22 to October 27, 2026. In Berlin, while presenting India's stance on climate financing, he raised questions regarding the historical responsibilities of developed nations. He stated in sharp words that they've completely failed to adequately meet the needs of least developed countries or support them in their decarbonization efforts.

Questioning climate financing, Goyal said that in 2015 at the Paris Climate Conference, the entire world came together. Prime Minister Modi brought the Global South together and encouraged countries to commit to addressing climate change at COP21. It was agreed that developed nations, which have enjoyed the fruits of disrupting the climate for decades, would pay a higher price.

He further stated that it was decided that developed nations would support developing and least developed countries. This also included island nations in the Pacific and the Caribbean. Following this, developed nations made a commitment of 100 billion dollars per year, which was a firm promise. However, they've completely failed to properly meet the needs of least developed countries and support them.

Expressing his displeasure, Piyush Goyal said that today 11 years have passed since the Paris Climate Conference held in 2015, but we've not seen a single penny of it. He remarked that these are all just promises and also a big question that the European Union and CBAM have failed to answer.

Goyal further stated in harsh words, first of all, who is responsible for this mess? Where was the ozone layer damaged, and who sent so much carbon into the atmosphere? I am a representative of 17 percent of the world's population, but my contribution to global carbon emissions is less than 3 percent. Europe probably represents 3 percent or 4 percent of the world's population, and this entire problem has been caused by you.

Goyal stated that India is fully aware of and committed to its role in climate action, but there is a clear imbalance between the population size and emission output of the West versus India. Despite this, imposing the European Union's carbon tax, known as CBAM, and deforestation-related regulations, known as EUDR, is completely unjustified, while this is equivalent to shooting oneself in the foot and inviting disaster.

In fact, the European Union has implemented two strict regulations in the name of climate change. These include the CBAM carbon tax, the purpose of which is to tax foreign goods whose production emits higher levels of carbon, while this includes steel, aluminium, iron, and cement. Secondly, only those goods can be sold in Europe whose production didn't involve the cutting down of trees.