NEW DELHI, Aug 18: BRICS Environment Ministers have agreed to strengthen cooperation on climate resilience, sustainable lifestyles, land management and environmental protection, adopting a joint ministerial statement at the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of four key outcome documents covering sustainable lifestyles, ecosystem resilience, forest-fire preparedness and community-based climate adaptation.
Under the agreement, BRICS countries will promote greater knowledge sharing, research and innovation on sustainable lifestyles through a network of institutions from member countries. The framework also outlines common principles for integrated landscape management, sustainable land use and efforts to combat desertification.
Another key outcome focuses on strengthening cooperation on forest-fire prevention, preparedness, early warning, response and recovery. The ministers also agreed on principles for improving climate resilience through people-centred and community-based adaptation, including the use of traditional knowledge.
India’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, who addressed the meeting, said the outcomes reflected months of dialogue and cooperation among BRICS members. He stressed the need to build climate resilience while ensuring that local communities remain at the centre of environmental action.
Yadav said BRICS countries could turn cooperation into stronger collective capacity through knowledge networks, technical exchanges, training, technology partnerships and institutional collaboration.
The meeting comes as developing countries face growing pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and extreme weather events. For many nations, environmental risks are closely linked to development, food security, livelihoods and economic stability.
India highlighted its approach of combining ecological restoration with community participation. Initiatives such as Mission LiFE and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam were cited as examples of efforts to encourage public participation in environmental protection.
Yadav also stressed the value of combining traditional knowledge with modern science, arguing that climate solutions need to be scientifically sound while remaining locally relevant and socially inclusive.
The meeting further discussed India’s climate commitments, including its new Nationally Determined Contribution for 2031–2035, which aims to advance climate action while supporting inclusive development and energy security.
The gathering also featured discussions on people-centred climate adaptation and integrated landscape-based greening, allowing BRICS members to exchange experiences on building resilient ecosystems and supporting sustainable development.
The latest agreement strengthens the environmental dimension of BRICS cooperation and signals a greater focus on practical collaboration among member countries as they respond to shared climate and ecological challenges.
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