Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) adopted the ‘BRICS Leaders’ Xiamen Declaration,’ reaffirming their commitment to fully implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, committing to enhance BRICS cooperation on climate change and expand green financing, and agreeing “to take concrete actions to advance result-oriented cooperation in such areas as prevention of air and water pollution, waste management and biodiversity conservation,” among others.
On climate, the BRICS leaders call for full implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change, including the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, and urge developed countries to provide financial, technological and capacity-building support to developing countries to enhance their mitigation and adaptation capabilities.
On agriculture, BRICS agree to deepen cooperation in five priority areas: food security and nutrition; adaptation of agriculture to climate change; agricultural technology cooperation and innovation; agricultural trade and investment; and information and communication technology (ICT) application in agriculture to, inter alia, contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"The BRICS leaders reaffirm their commitment to industrial cooperation, highlight the importance of innovation as a key driver for mid- and long-term economic growth and global sustainable development, agree to share experience and practices in realizing education-related SDGs, and recognize the importance of improving urban environmental sustainability."
On energy, the BRICS leaders commit to strengthen their cooperation, and acknowledge that clean and affordable energy needs to be affordable for all. They pledge to work to foster open, flexible and transparent markets for energy commodities and technologies, as well as to promote effective use of fossil fuels and wider use of gas, hydro and nuclear power to improve energy access.
The BRICS leaders also, inter alia: reaffirm their commitment to industrial cooperation, including on industrial capacities and policies, new industrial infrastructure and standards; highlight the importance of innovation as a key driver for mid- and long-term economic growth and global sustainable development; agree to share experience and practices in realizing education-related SDGs; and recognize the importance of improving urban environmental sustainability.
The Xiamen Declaration is the outcome of the ninth BRICS Summit, which took place in Xiamen, China, from 3-5 September 2017, under the theme ‘BRICS: Stronger Partnership for a Brighter Future.’ It outlines the countries’ practical economic cooperation, as well as their contribution to global economic governance, international peace and security, and people-to-people exchanges. Annexes to the Declaration include more than 60 BRICS cooperation outcome documents, the Xiamen Action Plan, a list of BRICS meetings for 2017 and proposals to be further explored.
Climate Diplomacy Week is a perfect opportunity to highlight positive climate action, set new goals and engage more and new actors in the fight against the devastating impacts of climate change. Each year, the week has its own character. Climate Diplomacy Week 2018, from 24-30 September, was marked by action – throughout the world, civil society participated in inspiring educational activities and engaged the wider public in the climate cause.
In a move that underscored Donald Trump’s isolation on trade and climate change, the two major economies inserted a reference to the Paris Agreement into Ceta.
Fourteen Latin American and Caribbean countries made history at the UN General Assembly on September 27 by signing the Escazú Agreement, a regional accord on public participation and access to information and justice in environmental affairs. It is the first region-wide agreement of its kind and has been touted a big step forward in recognising the rights of environmental defenders. Signatories now need to ratify the Agreement internally before it can enter into force.
Though India is now pushing for BIMSTEC, geography dictates that it cannot ignore SAARC. South Asia is extremely vulnerable to a range of climate impacts, ranging from shrinking glaciers and water scarcity to floods and rising sea levels. Responding to these risks is a complex task, also because often impacts affect more than one country and their severity exceeds the capacity of national governments. Climate change creates new challenges for regional organisations, and simultaneously increases their relevance.