Collective strategies for addressing climate change in BRICS countries paramount

Addis Ababa, May 18, 2024 (FBC) – Developing collective strategies and initiatives for addressing the impact of climate change is a priority among BRICS countries, Head of the School of World Economy at HSE University, Russia, Makarov Igor said.

Makarov Igor said that climate change has become one of the top priorities and areas of cooperation for BRICS member countries.

He added that over the last few years, BRICS countries have increasingly strengthened collaboration on various climate-related initiatives, including renewable energy development, carbon emissions reduction, and adaptation strategies.

BRICS founding nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa have recognized the urgent need for collective action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and transition to sustainable development pathways.

These countries are among the world’s largest economies and major emitters of greenhouse gases, making their cooperation crucial in global efforts to combat climate change, he added.

Each nation within the BRICS bloc brings its unique set of challenges, resources, and opportunities to the table, making it essential to tailor strategies to their specific contexts while fostering collaboration.

Russia continues this priority and looks climate change as an issue of very intense cooperation within BRICS, he said, adding that member countries are responsible for about half of global emissions, accordingly in the future, the impact of climate change will be mitigated by BRICS countries.

To this effect, BRICS countries should provide their own mechanisms to deal with the reduction of carbon emission, he said.

Makarov Igor who is also Head of the Laboratory for Climate Change Economics at the university said each nation within the BRICS bloc must contribute its unique approach to mitigate emissions, emphasizing the importance of a unified effort towards this goal.

Russia proposed a compact group on climates with participation of ministers and responsible agencies to provide some common framework on climate change, including both mitigation and adaptation, he said.

He also said Russia thinks that BRICS should provide its common strategies to deal with climate change, which should be different from the responses provided by the developed countries.

According to him, the national circumstances in BRICS countries are very diverse and different from the west, he said.
He noted that different BRICS countries have very different objectives related to climate change, on the other hand, and they have the similar priorities, on the other.

They linked climate change with broader contexts of sustainable development, for instance, climate change and decarbonisation work to energy, he said.

He added that all the BRICS countries understand that they should transform the energy systems, which are very diverse, ENA reported.