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BRICS and the Transformation of Global Cooperation in the Face of the Climate Crisis

By Gustavo Sousa Soidan • Staff Writer at Cosmopolíticos

Published on Jul 3, 2025 2:40 PM

The BRICS Climate Agenda

Comprising the world’s most populous countries and covering nearly 30% of the planet’s landmass, BRICS was established in 2006 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly with the aim of reshaping traditional global governance through cooperation. The bloc set out to advance the interests of developing countries and provide economic alternatives to dominant international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the World Bank.

As international negotiations progressed—especially after the creation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the launch of the Conferences of the Parties (COP)—global cooperation took center stage in confronting the climate crisis. The Conferences thus emerged as the principal forum for shaping international commitments, culminating in the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, which established cooperation among nations as a cornerstone of climate action and introduced shared responsibilities through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

It is against such a backdrop that the organization has decisively incorporated climate and energy issues into its agenda, aligning with multilateral commitments and expanding both technical and political cooperation. The bloc has fostered the exchange of environmental technologies and best practices and invested in sustainable initiatives—from renewable energy and clean water access to improving living conditions in rural communities. These efforts are closely aligned with the priorities of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and other multilateral organizations.

The Convergence of Climate Multilateralism and Internal BRICS Challenges

The Paris Agreement—ratified by nearly every nation—marked a pivotal moment in global climate cooperation, introducing requirements for regular reporting and greater transparency in meeting emissions-reduction targets. However, while Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are vital, they still account for only a fraction of the effort required to meaningfully curb climate change.

The recent expansion of BRICS, which now includes countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Iran, has broadened the diversity of agendas within the bloc and strengthened it. Yet this expansion also poses challenges, as these countries remain heavily economically dependent on fossil fuels. The bloc must therefore devise strategies that reconcile environmental mitigation efforts with the economic and social realities of its members—recognizing that fossil fuels still play a significant role in the global economy. The search for more effective and less harmful methods of managing this transition must be matched by a collective commitment that accounts for national specificities, in line with the discussions led by UNEA and the UNFCCC.

For instance, Iran—which derived about 1% of its energy capacity from renewables in 2018—aims to reach 16% by 2030, while Saudi Arabia is projecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 50% for solar energy by 2030, according to reports from Mordor Intelligence. These developments are encouraging, but they remain insufficient to fully respond to the climate crisis.

The Evolution of International Cooperation and the Role of BRICS

Since the first COP, international cooperation on the climate crisis has evolved from voluntary commitments to a more robust system of monitoring, transparency, and climate financing. Institutions such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction have expanded technical and financial support to developing countries, including BRICS members.

BRICS, for its part, has reinforced its cooperation framework through initiatives such as the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA), both aimed at supporting sustainable projects and green infrastructure. The bloc has also advanced the BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform (BRICS ERCP), which fosters technical exchanges, joint development of clean technologies, and coordinated strategies for the energy transition through 2030.

This dynamic reinforces the bloc’s growing role in environmental governance and contributes to more inclusive and effective multilateralism—aligned with the goals of the COP and the UNEA, both of which underscore the urgency of collective, integrated action in confronting the climate emergency.

The Limits of Unilateralism and the Urgency of Multilateralism

Recent international crises—such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East—have exposed the fragility of multilateral institutions in the face of unilateral actions and hegemonic interests. The use of veto power in bodies like the UN Security Council hampers peaceful and collaborative solutions, prolonging conflicts and their humanitarian and environmental consequences.

In the environmental arena, isolated (unilateral or bilateral) cooperation is not enough to tackle global challenges. The climate crisis warrants a collective outlook grounded in the common good and climate justice. The massive fossil fuel consumption of military sectors—particularly that of the United States—illustrates how strategic interests can override the environmental imperative, undermining multilateral efforts.

The Key Lies in the Global South: BRICS Leadership in Environmental Governance

As long as military and economic superpowers continue to dominate the international system, the environmental agenda risks being sidelined, reduced to low-impact individual efforts. BRICS+, as a growing and increasingly prominent organization, offers a promising alternative for building environmental governance that is more just, inclusive, and sustainable.

The bloc is at the forefront of sustainability and energy transition efforts, promoting technical cooperation, climate finance, and the development of clean technologies. In doing so, BRICS member countries amplify the voice of the Global South in international negotiations, helping to build a more balanced and effective multilateral system to address the climate crisis.

This context points to a future of global climate governance that depends on strengthening multilateralism led by BRICS countries—nations uniquely positioned to shape pragmatic and inclusive responses to the climate emergency by integrating economic and social diversity, aligning the priorities of the Global South with broader international goals.

» Referências

The views expressed herein are solely those of the authors and do not represent the official position of the Brazilian BRICS presidency or the Government of Brasil. They are offered independently, with the aim of fostering a pluralistic debate on issues central to the Global South agenda.

English version: Tadeu Azevedo (POET/UFC)
Proofreading: Kelvis Santiago do Nascimento (POET/UFC)

ArticlesClimate AgendaMultilateralismCooperation