The Environment Ministers of the expanded BRICS bloc have issued a joint declaration and approved a comprehensive work-plan of approximately 50 practical initiatives aimed at strengthening environmental cooperation and achieving a just transition to sustainable economies. The declaration, adopted in Brasília on April 3, 2025, underscores the expanded bloc’s major role in global affairs, championing environmental multilateralism and the principles of equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) for developing nations.
The 50 initiatives in the work-plan for the 2024-2027 period cover critical strategic areas: air quality improvement, biodiversity conservation (including support for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework), waste and chemical management (particularly plastic pollution), desertification and land degradation neutrality (LDN) efforts, and climate change initiatives. The ministers stressed the urgent need for adequate means of implementation for developing countries, reiterating calls for wealthy nations to fulfill their obligations on climate finance.
The joint statement signals the BRICS bloc’s determination to lead a transition toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient future that prioritizes poverty eradication and sustainable economic growth. The ongoing environmental cooperation is a central pillar of the BRICS strategy, providing a collective platform for members to exchange technology, best practices, and innovative solutions ahead of the COP30 summit in Brazil.
