The BRICS Environment Working Group will meet in New Delhi on August 17-18, 2026, as India hosts key environmental meetings under its BRICS Chairship. The meetings will bring together senior officials, environment ministers, policymakers and experts to discuss shared environmental priorities and strengthen cooperation on sustainable development.
The meetings will take place at Bharat Mandapam. The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting will be held on August 18, following the Senior Officers’ Meeting of the Environment Working Group and the Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development on August 17.
India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 is guided by the theme, ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability’.
BRICS Environment Working Group to Focus on Four Priorities
India has identified four priority areas for discussions under the BRICS Environment Working Group.
The first priority focuses on sustainable lifestyles. BRICS members will discuss responsible consumption, community practices, knowledge sharing and innovative approaches to sustainability.
The second priority covers afforestation, forest fire management and disaster resilience. Discussions will focus on land restoration, capacity building, monitoring and landscape-based greening. Members will also examine forest fire prevention, early detection, preparedness and rapid response.
The third priority is circular economy. BRICS countries will exchange practices on waste management and Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks. The discussions will also explore ways to improve resource efficiency and support the transition towards circular economic models.
The fourth priority is climate adaptation. The focus will be on people-centric and community-led approaches. Members will also explore the role of traditional knowledge, best-practice sharing and policy cooperation in strengthening climate resilience.
Ministerial Meeting to Strengthen Environmental Cooperation
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav will preside over the BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting on August 18.
The ministerial session will include discussions on the outcome document and key environmental themes. It will build on deliberations held during the Senior Officers’ Meeting on August 17.
The meetings are expected to help BRICS members strengthen consensus and develop practical areas of cooperation on environmental and climate priorities.
India Builds Consensus Ahead of BRICS Meetings
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has conducted a series of virtual meetings, technical sessions, webinars and dialogues since March 2026.
These engagements covered resource efficiency, the circular economy, carbon markets, climate adaptation, land degradation, desertification, drought and wildfire management.
The consultations have helped build consensus and establish the context for the in-person meetings in New Delhi.
Background on BRICS Environmental Cooperation
The BRICS Environment Working Group was established in 2015 during the first BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Moscow. It provides a platform for member countries to exchange experiences, share best practices and strengthen collective environmental action.
The Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development was established in 2024. It provides a dedicated mechanism for cooperation among BRICS members on climate change and sustainable development.
