Russia Presents Climate Initiatives to BRICS Colleagues

The BRICS Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development held its first meeting online on 2 April 2024 as part of Russia’s BRICS chairship. The meeting was held with the participation of representatives of the new countries that joined the group on 1 January 2024.

During the meeting, the Russian side proposed establishing a new specialized platform to discuss ways to combat climate change within the BRICS framework. The idea was supported by the association’s member countries. The meeting participants welcomed Russia’s initiative and noted the importance of strengthening cooperation in combatting climate change without harming the socio-economic development of countries.

Nikita Kondratyev, Director of the Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, opened the meeting with a welcome address. He noted the importance of strengthening cooperation within BRICS to promote sustainable development taking into account the risks and opportunities posed by decarbonization. “It is crucial for our countries to implement an equitable transition given the different national contexts and the potential socioeconomic consequences of low-carbon transformation,” he said.

During the meeting, the BRICS partners viewed a presentation about Russia’s priorities in climate cooperation as part of the Contact Group in 2024, which cover such issues as equitable energy transition, adaptation to climate change, nature-based solutions, carbon markets, and carbon pricing. The meeting participants expressed special interest in the initiatives to exchange experience in development of carbon markets and implementation of adaptation measures, as well as a proposal to strengthen scientific climate cooperation. The BRICS officials showed interest in launching the BRICS Climate Research Platform proposed by Russia to organize joint scientific and expert activities, prepare research and reports on climate topics, and conduct specialized events.

Russia will further develop the initiatives it proposed with its foreign partners and they are scheduled to be approved during the High-Level Climate Forum in August 2024.

The Roscongress Foundation manages the events of Russia’s BRICS chairship.