India hosted the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on August 18, 2026, under India's BRICS Chairship 2026. Union Environment Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav welcomed ministers and heads of delegations from BRICS member countries, emphasizing India's vision of placing concerns of the Global South at the forefront and redefining BRICS as "Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability" with a people-centric approach.
Minister Yadav highlighted growing global environmental challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and disaster risks, particularly affecting developing countries where environmental vulnerability intertwines with 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.
India outlined four key priorities for its BRICS Chairship: promoting sustainable lifestyles; afforestation, forest fire management and disaster resilience; circular economy; and adaptation. The minister emphasized that environmental action must remain people-centric, implementation-oriented, and responsive to developing countries' realities. He cited India's Mission LiFE and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam as examples combining ecological restoration with public participation and community ownership.
The meeting concluded with the consensual adoption of the Joint Ministerial Statement and the launch of four Knowledge Compendiums. The outcome documents included: Terms of Reference for a 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; and BRICS Principles for Advancing Climate Resilience Through People-centric and Community-based Adaptation built on Traditional Knowledge.
The event featured panel discussions including a BRICS High-level Dialogue on Climate Change focusing on people-centric, community-based adaptation, and a session on Integrated Landscape-Based Greening sharing BRICS experiences for resilient landscapes. A digital Mission LiFE Pavilion showcased India's sustainable lifestyles initiative through immersive gaming and interactive technologies, while cultural performances offered glimpses of Indian culture to delegates.