Energy Matrix and Unequal Development: The BRICS in the Current Climate Change Debate

This Policy Brief places the debate on energy matrices and uneven development within the framework of the current discussions that guided the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio + 20. We argue that the increase in CO2 emissions of the BRICS countries, in a gross calculation of total emissions, accompanied the economic growth of these countries. However, in a detailed calculation of per capita emissions per country, emissions from BRICS countries are still substantially lower than those of traditional powers. With this, we point out the need to take into account the specifics and historical responsibilities of each country, understanding their development strategies, which have led to impacts and effects on the environment, climate and the lives of their populations. We thus recover the basis of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.