[Ed. The article was authored by Turkish researchers but is relevant to discussion of climate change sciences in Russia]

They wanted to understand more about the developing role of BRICS during international negotiations and dialogues. BRICS nations have recently developed some policy convergence around climate change based on their economies, emissions and resources. For example, Russia has 22% of the world’s forest resources according to the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat (Kiprizli & Kostem, 2023).

They reviewed the academic literature and discussion that has helped impact policy makers. They note the different between the dialogue of the emerging BRIC countries who have been affected by injustice such as colonialism, exclusion; then whether new ideas and changes are occurring as a result. Or whether it’s repeating previous ideology but with different actors.

The historical meetings and development of agreements since the 1960s have placed greater responsibilities on industrialised nations for GHG emission levels especially. The researchers noted that Brazil and China used the lens of climate justice or environmental justice regarding emissions requirements for developing countries and their feasibility. South Africa similarly but under an umbrella of regeneration and development, particularly an ‘African Renaissance’ concept (Ajulu, 2007). Russia’s industries were impacted by the dissolution of the Soviet Union during the same policy making period but have joined others from Kyoto onwards reviewing climate mitigation and adaptation possibilities (Kiprizli & Kostem, 2023).

There have been numerous changes and policy actors during these decades with different interests being positioned, for example an EU bloc. BRICS became more prominent as their countries grew their respective GDPs through infrastructure and development but also their emissions levels, although Russia’s modernisation of industries after the Soviet Union produced a multi-year decline.

As BRICS has matured, each contributing country has also taken responsibilities for global emissions, linked to their own energy and economic developments. They have advocated common policy stances on promoting global climate governance, for example when the US reneged on their climate responsibilities for the Paris agreement. They have increased the number of climate and ‘green’ workshops amongst their foreign ministries; whilst continuing to promote links with both sustainable development and multipolarity as necessary for combating the harmful effects of climate change.

They are currently analysing appropriate financial mechanisms such as provision of finance for climate friendly sustainable development through emerging BRICS and development banking. The authors believe that the convergence of policy ideas actually began in the middle of the twentieth century.

They have noted changes from pledges to action plans during the period following both Copenhagen and Paris agreement dialogues. Whilst BRICS countries are increasing emissions and environmental pollution during energy development of their countries, they believe that BRICS have an important global role in assisting with global climate governance.

Göktuğ Kıprızlı & Seçkin Köstem (2023) The onset of BRICS cooperation on climate change: material change, ideational convergence and the road to Copenhagen 2009, Third World Quarterly, 44:6, 1192-1210, DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2023.2177632