At the 10th Meeting of BRICS Environment Ministers, held in a hybrid format on June 28, 2024, under the chairmanship of the Russian Federation, Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, participated virtually. This meeting marked the first gathering of BRICS Environment Ministers after the inclusion of five new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Shri Bhupender Yadav emphasized that with an expanded membership, BRICS can now more effectively set the agenda and priorities for addressing environmental challenges. He highlighted that BRICS initiatives are guided by the principles and goals of the UN system and its agencies, and stressed that the available carbon space should be utilized by developing countries.
Minister Yadav urged the BRICS nations to promote the implementation of the Resolution on Sustainable Lifestyles, which was adopted at the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly. He stressed the importance of sustainable lifestyles in tackling global environmental challenges.
Furthermore, Shri Yadav pointed out the need for a level playing field for developing countries and called on developed countries to fulfill their financial obligations as promised at the UNFCCC COP and CBD COP. He warned that climate finance should not be perceived merely as a means of investment.
Highlighting India’s concrete actions to address environmental challenges at both national and international levels, Shri Yadav encouraged BRICS nations to support the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on World Environment Day 2024. He also promoted global initiatives led by India, such as Mission LiFE, IBCA, CDRI, LeadIT, Green Credit Initiative, RE & CE-IC, and GIR-GIP.
The Union Minister underscored the importance of strengthening and expanding collaboration and cooperation among BRICS nations and maintaining close collaboration in multilateral forums to uphold the principles of equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
The statement of the 10th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting, held in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, on June 28, 2024, was also adopted during the meeting.
