Climate governance in the BRICS: pathways toward net-zero emissions

Abstract Climate governance is essential for tackling global climate challenges and advancing toward net-zero objectives. This study focuses on the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—examining their strategies, policies, and challenges in tackling climate change. It explore...

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Main Authors: Oluwatobi Mary Owojori, Emem Anwana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-05-01
Series:Discover Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01181-1
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author Oluwatobi Mary Owojori
Emem Anwana
author_facet Oluwatobi Mary Owojori
Emem Anwana
author_sort Oluwatobi Mary Owojori
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Climate governance is essential for tackling global climate challenges and advancing toward net-zero objectives. This study focuses on the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—examining their strategies, policies, and challenges in tackling climate change. It explores similarities and distinctions in climate governance across BRICS countries, offering recommendations for enhancing responsible climate governance. The study uses an integrated comparative trend analysis of literature to examine and contrast strategies and analyse policies and challenges across BRICS nations. This study finds that the BRICS economies’ persistent dependence on coal and other fossil fuels remains a major barrier to the transition toward net-zero emissions, underscoring the structural complexities of aligning economic growth with sustainability goals. Findings highlight the importance of collective action, policy coherence, and regional leadership in promoting effective climate governance within BRICS. It further emphasizes the need for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)-aligned practices and proactive engagement to address the complexities of climate change. The paper recommends increased investment in climate finance while promoting regional and international cooperation to support transition to a low carbon economy. It contributes valuable insights into the responsibilities of BRICS nations in influencing the trajectory of global climate governance.
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spelling doaj-art-2d2d7aafc9754a7ba0802c84ec9c49ff2025-08-20T02:10:48ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-05-016111710.1007/s43621-025-01181-1Climate governance in the BRICS: pathways toward net-zero emissionsOluwatobi Mary Owojori0Emem Anwana1Department of Public Sector Finance, Tshwane University of TechnologyDepartment of Applied Law, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of TechnologyAbstract Climate governance is essential for tackling global climate challenges and advancing toward net-zero objectives. This study focuses on the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—examining their strategies, policies, and challenges in tackling climate change. It explores similarities and distinctions in climate governance across BRICS countries, offering recommendations for enhancing responsible climate governance. The study uses an integrated comparative trend analysis of literature to examine and contrast strategies and analyse policies and challenges across BRICS nations. This study finds that the BRICS economies’ persistent dependence on coal and other fossil fuels remains a major barrier to the transition toward net-zero emissions, underscoring the structural complexities of aligning economic growth with sustainability goals. Findings highlight the importance of collective action, policy coherence, and regional leadership in promoting effective climate governance within BRICS. It further emphasizes the need for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)-aligned practices and proactive engagement to address the complexities of climate change. The paper recommends increased investment in climate finance while promoting regional and international cooperation to support transition to a low carbon economy. It contributes valuable insights into the responsibilities of BRICS nations in influencing the trajectory of global climate governance.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01181-1BRICSClimate governanceClimate adaptationClimate mitigationClimate leadershipESG
spellingShingle Oluwatobi Mary Owojori
Emem Anwana
Climate governance in the BRICS: pathways toward net-zero emissions
Discover Sustainability
BRICS
Climate governance
Climate adaptation
Climate mitigation
Climate leadership
ESG
title Climate governance in the BRICS: pathways toward net-zero emissions
title_full Climate governance in the BRICS: pathways toward net-zero emissions
title_fullStr Climate governance in the BRICS: pathways toward net-zero emissions
title_full_unstemmed Climate governance in the BRICS: pathways toward net-zero emissions
title_short Climate governance in the BRICS: pathways toward net-zero emissions
title_sort climate governance in the brics pathways toward net zero emissions
topic BRICS
Climate governance
Climate adaptation
Climate mitigation
Climate leadership
ESG
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01181-1
work_keys_str_mv AT oluwatobimaryowojori climategovernanceinthebricspathwaystowardnetzeroemissions
AT ememanwana climategovernanceinthebricspathwaystowardnetzeroemissions