Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on 18th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting, held in New Delhi on August 18, 2026, focused on advancing "people-centric" and "implementation-oriented" environmental actions under India’s Chairship. The meeting concluded with the consensual adoption of a Joint Ministerial Statement and the launch of four Knowledge Compendiums aimed at strengthening institutional partnerships and technology cooperation. Key outcomes include the establishment of frameworks for forest fire management, sustainable lifestyles, and integrated landscape management to build climate resilience across member nations.
Key Points / Main Content
Core Vision and Strategic Approach
Humanity First: India’s Chairship is guided by a "Humanity First" approach, prioritizing the concerns of the Global South and building resilience through innovation.
Knowledge Integration: Emphasis on combining traditional knowledge with modern science to create solutions that are "scientifically robust" and "locally relevant."
Cooperation to Capability: A call to transform BRICS cooperation into collective capability through technical exchanges, training, and institutional partnerships.
Four Pillars of Action
Sustainable Lifestyles: Promoting initiatives like Mission LiFE to encourage environmentally responsible behavior.
Disaster Resilience: Strengthening cooperation on forest fire prevention, early warning systems, and post-fire recovery.
Circular Economy: Focusing on resource efficiency and sustainable development.
Climate Adaptation: Prioritizing adaptation and climate finance, specifically for developing countries.
Adopted Frameworks and Outcome Documents
Network of BRICS Institutions: Terms of Reference (ToR) for a network to advance research and innovation in sustainable lifestyles.
Integrated Landscape Management: Principles for combating desertification and ensuring ecosystem resilience.
Forest Fire Preparedness: A "Common Understanding" for synchronized preparedness and response across BRICS nations.
Community-Based Adaptation: Principles for climate resilience built on community-centric adaptation and traditional knowledge.
India’s National Initiatives
NDC Commitment: India highlighted its new Nationally Determined Contribution for 2031-2035 to support energy security and inclusive development.
Ecological Projects: Cited "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" as a successful model for combining ecological restoration with public participation.
Impact Analysis
BRICS Member CountriesImpact
Member states are now aligned under a consensual Joint Ministerial Statement that mandates closer cooperation on technology and policy. They benefit from shared knowledge networks and standardized principles for disaster management.
Action Required
Countries must implement the adopted principles for landscape management and forest fire response while contributing to the newly formed Network of BRICS Institutions.
Local Communities and the Global SouthImpact
These groups are positioned as central to environmental policy, with specific focus on "community-owned" restoration and the protection of traditional knowledge.
Action Required
Local stakeholders are encouraged to engage in community-based adaptation and utilize the interactive platforms (like the Mission LiFE framework) to promote sustainable lifestyles.
Environmental Research and Academic InstitutionsImpact
The launch of the four Knowledge Compendiums and the ToR for the Network of BRICS Institutions provides a formal structure for international research collaboration.
Action Required
Institutions need to align their research agendas with the priorities of sustainable lifestyles and landscape-based greening as outlined in the meeting's outcome documents.
Key Entities Referenced
12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting: A high-level multilateral forum held under India's 2026 BRICS Chairship to coordinate environmental action among member nations.
Shri Bhupender Yadav: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change who chaired the meeting and outlined the vision for people-centric environmental action.
Joint Ministerial Statement (JMS): The primary outcome document adopted by consensus, comprising four key outcome documents on landscape management, climate resilience, and forest fires.
Mission LiFE: India's flagship initiative for promoting sustainable lifestyles, showcased as a central component of India's environmental strategy.
Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for 2031-2035: India's updated climate commitment document reflecting goals for advancing climate action, energy security, and inclusive development.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
India calls for People-Centric, Implementation-
Oriented Environmental Action at 12th BRICS
Environment Ministers’ Meeting
BRICS can convert Cooperation into Capability through
Knowledge-sharing, Technology Cooperation and stronger
Institutional Partnerships: Shri Bhupender Yadav
Important to Build Resilience without leaving communities
behind, pursuing Innovation with Responsibility and placing
Sustainability at the centre of Development: Union
Environment Minister
12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting concludes with
the consensual adoption of the Joint Ministerial Statement
and the launch of four Knowledge Compendiums
प्रव तथ: 18 AUG 2026 3:28PM by PIB Delhi
Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, Shri 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.
Under the #IndiaBRICSChairship, welcomed Hon’ble Ministers and delegates
from BRICS Member Countries during the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’
Meeting.
We look forward to further strengthening cooperation and engage in a meaningful
manner for positive outcomes for the… pic.twitter.com/CfiuHbcY0u
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) August 18, 2026
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.
Addressed the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting, welcoming Ministers
and Delegates and reaffirming the importance of aligning policy, technology and
public participation towards building a sustainable planet following a “humanity
first“ approach.@BricsIndia2026 pic.twitter.com/YC8CKLpz5t
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) August 18, 2026
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.
Reflecting the spirit of collaboration and mutual learning, under the #IndiaBRICS
Chairship, launched the Compendiums of the Environment Working Group during
the 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting.⁰⁰The compendiums present a
rich compilation of experiences, innovative… pic.twitter.com/VKBwYFSVRw
— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) August 18, 2026
The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting concluded with the consensual adoption of the Joint Mi
nisterial 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.
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