India calls for People-Centric, Implementation-Oriented Environmental Action at 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India,  Bhupender Yadav, today welcomed Ministers and Heads of Delegations from BRICS Member Countries to the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026, being held in New Delhi.

Delivering his keynote address, Shri Yadav stated that India’s Chairship is guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in placing the concerns of the Global South at the forefront of the agenda and redefining BRICS as “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability”, with a people-centric approach and the spirit of “Humanity First”.

Shri Yadav highlighted the growing global environmental challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and disaster risks, particularly for developing countries where environmental vulnerability is often closely intertwined with broader development priorities. He called for stronger BRICS cooperation on forest fire prevention, preparedness, early warning, response and post-fire recovery, while stressing the importance of climate finance, adaptation and empowering local communities.

Emphasising India’s approach, the Minister said “ecological restoration and human development can advance together”, citing Mission LiFE and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam as examples of combining ecological restoration, public participation and community ownership. He also called for bringing traditional knowledge and modern science together to ensure solutions are “scientifically robust, locally relevant and socially inclusive”. The Minister talked about how India’s new Nationally Determined Contribution for 2031-2035 further reflects the ambitious commitment to advancing climate action while supporting inclusive development and energy security.

The Minister outlined four priorities of India’s BRICS Chairship: Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles; Afforestation, Forest Fire Management and Disaster Resilience; Circular Economy; and Adaptation. He said “together, these four priorities reflect a simple yet powerful conviction – environmental action must remain people-centric and sustainable, implementation or action-oriented and responsive to the realities of developing countries”.

Shri Yadav said the progress achieved during India’s Chairship reflects months of dialogue, negotiation and collaboration. The Minister called for building resilience without leaving communities behind, pursuing innovation with responsibility and placing sustainability at the centre of development. He further stressed that BRICS can “convert cooperation into collective and co-operative capability” through knowledge networks, technical exchanges, training, technology cooperation and stronger institutional partnerships.

The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting concluded with the consensual adoption of the Joint Ministerial Statement (JMS) and the launch of four Knowledge Compendiums. The JMS comprises four Outcome Documents, which are as given below:

• Terms of Reference (ToR) – Network of BRICS Institutions to Advance Knowledge Sharing, Research and Innovation in Sustainable Lifestyles
• BRICS Principles for Integrated Landscape Management For Combating Desertification, Sustainable Land Management and Ecosystem Resilience
• Common Understanding for Forest Fire Preparedness and Response across BRICS
• BRICS Principles for Advancing Climate Resilience Through People-centric and Community-based Adaptation built on Traditional Knowledge

The Environment Ministers’ Meeting also witnessed engaging panel discussions and side events:

• BRICS High-level Dialogue on Climate Change – People-Centric, Community-Based Adaptation: Advance climate adaptation by promoting the integration of traditional knowledge and local practices with modern science, technology, and innovation through a people-centric, resilient, and sustainable framework.
• Integrated Landscape-Based Greening – Sharing BRICS Experiences for Resilient Landscapes and Sustainable Development: To Showcase successful integrated landscape restoration initiatives and knowledge-sharing among Member Countries.

During the event, the MoEFCC had set up a digital and interactive Mission LiFE Pavillion showcasing India’s flagship initiative through immersive gaming and interactive technologies. It offered a 360-degree experience of India’s efforts to promote sustainable lifestyles. Further, to coincide the 2-day meetings, the delegates witnessed a culturally aesthetic and mesmerizing performance by Indian artists. The captivating performance offered a vivid and vibrant glimpse of Indian culture.