BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting Highlights Sustainable Environmental Initiatives

New Delhi: The 10th Meeting of BRICS Environment Ministers was held in a hybrid format under the Chairship of the Russian Federation. Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, participated virtually. This meeting marked the first gathering of BRICS Environment Ministers following the inclusion of five new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

In his address, Yadav highlighted that the expanded BRICS can now set the agenda, priorities, and way forward for tackling global environmental challenges. He emphasized that initiatives under BRICS are firmly guided by the principles and goals of the UN system and its agencies, ensuring that the available carbon space is utilized by Developing Countries.

Yadav stressed the importance of sustainable lifestyles in addressing global environmental challenges and urged BRICS nations to promote the implementation of the Resolution on Sustainable Lifestyles, adopted at the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly. He also highlighted the need for a level playing field for Developing Countries and called on Developed Countries to fulfill their obligations for means of implementation, including finances promised at UNFCCC COP and CBD COP. He cautioned that climate finance should not be seen merely as a means of investment.

The Union Minister highlighted India’s concrete actions at both national and international levels to address environmental challenges. He urged BRICS nations to join and support the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024, as well as global initiatives led by India such as Mission LiFE, IBCA, CDRI, LeadIT, Green Credit Initiative, RE & CE-IC, and GIR-GIP.

Yadav also underscored the need for strengthening and widening collaboration and cooperation among BRICS nations. He called for continued close collaboration in multilateral forums and standing together to uphold the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).