India Pushes People-Centric Environmental Action at BRICS Meet
Bhupender Yadav calls for stronger cooperation on climate resilience, sustainability and Global South priorities
- India urged BRICS nations to adopt people-centric and implementation-oriented environmental action.
- Bhupender Yadav highlighted four priorities under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026.
- BRICS Environment Ministers adopted a Joint Ministerial Statement and launched four knowledge compendiums.
- India called for greater cooperation in climate adaptation, forest fire management and sustainable lifestyles.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Aug: India on Tuesday called for people-centric and implementation-oriented environmental action at the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting, with Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav urging member nations to deepen cooperation on climate resilience, sustainable development and environmental protection.
Welcoming ministers and heads of delegations from BRICS countries in New Delhi under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, Yadav said the Chairship is guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of placing the concerns of the Global South at the forefront while redefining BRICS as “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and natural disasters, particularly for developing countries where environmental concerns are closely linked to development priorities.
He called for stronger cooperation among BRICS nations in forest fire prevention, early warning systems, disaster preparedness, post-fire recovery, climate finance and community-based adaptation, stressing that environmental action must remain inclusive and responsive to local needs.
Emphasising India’s approach, Yadav said ecological restoration and economic development can progress together, citing Mission LiFE and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam as successful examples of combining environmental conservation with public participation and community ownership. He also advocated integrating traditional knowledge with modern science to create sustainable and locally relevant solutions.
The Union Minister outlined four key priorities under India’s BRICS Chairship—promoting sustainable lifestyles, afforestation and forest fire management, circular economy, and climate adaptation—saying these pillars reflect India’s commitment to practical, action-oriented environmental governance.
“It is important to build resilience without leaving communities behind, pursue innovation with responsibility and place sustainability at the centre of development,” Yadav said, adding that BRICS can transform cooperation into collective capability through knowledge sharing, technology partnerships, training and institutional collaboration.
The meeting concluded with the consensual adoption of the Joint Ministerial Statement (JMS) and the launch of four Knowledge Compendiums, covering sustainable lifestyles, integrated landscape management, forest fire preparedness and climate resilience through community-based adaptation.
Delegates also participated in high-level discussions on climate adaptation and landscape restoration, while the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change showcased India’s flagship Mission LiFE initiative through an interactive digital pavilion highlighting sustainable lifestyle practices. The event also featured cultural performances showcasing India’s rich heritage.
