As challenges from climate change and the ongoing pandemic worsen, BRICS nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have joined forces for continuous collaborations to tackle the deteriorating situation. 

Furthermore, by adopting the ‘New Delhi Statement on Environment’, the countries have agreed to work in close proximity to tackle the challenges of climate change ahead of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in October and the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference in November. 

According to India’s Union Minister for Environment, Bhupender Yadav,  BRICS countries can significantly address the contemporary global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, and marine plastic litter and other identified areas of focus. 

However, the nations would need to take collective actions guided by equity national priorities and circumstances. “BRICS countries being hotspots for biodiversity can tell the world how we have been conserving such mega diversity since time immemorial and can also play a very significant role in combating the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Yadav, at the 7th meeting of the BRICS Environment Ministerial, 2021.

Therefore, having agreed to focus on cooperation on waste management, observing that the “efficient management of wastes, the countries have started sharing their climate change initiatives. For example, India shared its renewable energy target and plans in renewable energy, sustainable habitats, creating carbon sinks, transition to sustainable transport, etc. Additionally, China has also set up its goal to act on climate challenges. China pledged to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 in December 2020.

In August, the space agencies of BRICS countries signed an agreement to share remote sensing satellite data to help cope with climate changes and environmental protection.

Six BRICS Environment Ministerial meets have been held so far as a slew of initiatives has already been launched to improve the environment.