Climate Ambition of the BRICS Countries

Historically, developed countries have been the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, but over the past four decades, some developing nations, such as the BRICS countries, have also significantly contributed to the climate crisis. Currently, four of its members are among the top five global emitters, while South Africa is the largest emitter on the African continent. Although not initially formed as a group focused on environmental issues, BRICS (now BRICS+) has been progressively incorporating climate and sustainability topics more broadly into its agenda. The group faces the challenge of implementing emissions reduction policies to comply with the Paris Agreement, amid internal inequalities and vulnerabilities to the impacts of climate change.

The research project “Climate Ambition of the BRICS Countries,” led by the Socio-Environmental Platform of the BRICS Policy Center and supported by the Institute for Climate and Society (iCS), aims to monitor the climate ambitions and initiatives of the bloc’s members. The project began in 2022 and has resulted in two editions of executive summaries and five studies detailing the climate ambition of five BRICS countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. We have also promoted dialogues with experts on BRICS, climate, and environmental issues through the “Café com BRICS” events held at the BRICS Policy Center headquarters. With Brazil holding the presidency of BRICS in 2025 and hosting the XVII Summit, the Socio-Environmental Platform is dedicated to monitoring the climate agenda of BRICS throughout the Brazilian presidency.