Strengthening South-South cooperation and building capacity, technology cooperation and enhanced financial support is important for adaptation and resilience-building in developing countries, Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Deputy Minister Narend Singh has said.

BRICS must continue to work together to ensure environmental sustainability, climate resilience and inclusive socioeconomic development were advanced in a mutually supportive and coherent manner, while recognising the different national circumstances and development priorities of the countries, he said.

The consolidation of the work of Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development had provided BRICS countries with an important platform to deepen cooperation on climate issues from a development perspective, he said in a copy of a speech delivered at the twelfth BRICS Environmental Ministerial Meeting, in New Delhi, India, on August 18.

Similarly, the BRICS Leaders' Framework Declaration on Climate Finance reinforces the importance of enhancing support for developing countries as they respond to the growing impacts of climate change.

“Communities continue to experience increasingly severe climate impacts, including droughts, floods, heatwaves, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and threats to livelihoods.

“Addressing these challenges requires approaches that place people at the centre of adaptation action, while recognising the value of local knowledge, Indigenous practices and community innovation,” said Singh.

India's people-centred environmental 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability' agenda resonated strongly with the aspirations of other developing countries and reflected the shared commitment to building sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient societies, he noted.

Traditional knowledge systems and scientific knowledge were complementary and mutually reinforcing. Indigenous and local communities had developed adaptation practices over generations that continued to provide practical solutions for managing climate risks, conserving biodiversity, restoring ecosystems and strengthening livelihoods, he said.

South Africa, therefore, supports the proposed BRICS Principles for the Adoption of Traditional Knowledge for Climate Change Adaptation and the establishment of a BRICS Dialogue on People-Centred Community-Led Adaptation as important mechanisms for advancing cooperation among BRICS countries.

South Africa has contributed two flagship community-based adaptation initiatives to the BRICS compendium on traditional knowledge and community-based adaptation, namely the Working for Water and Working for Ecosystems programmes, which support ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, invasive species management, water security and sustainable livelihood creation.

“BRICS countries possess a wealth of knowledge, innovation, experience and practical solutions that can contribute significantly to global efforts to address environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change. Through solidarity, cooperation and collective action, we are advancing sustainable development, while ensuring that no one is left behind,” Singh said.

Additionally, South Africa has submitted its Ecosystem-Based Disaster Risk Reduction Programme, which demonstrates how ecosystem restoration can reduce the impacts of climate-related disasters while strengthening resilience in vulnerable communities.

Ecosystem-based adaptation and community-driven solutions were important to address climate risks while simultaneously advancing sustainable development and poverty alleviation, he pointed out.

Promoting sustainable lifestyles are also important, as achieving sustainable development requires not only policy and technological interventions, but also behavioural change and the adoption of sustainable consumption and production patterns.

“We support initiatives that encourage environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, environmental education, youth participation and sustainable lifestyles as key contributors to environmental sustainability and climate action,” he said.

Further, South Africa welcomes the priority on afforestation, landscape restoration, forest fire management and disaster resilience, which are issues of growing importance to many BRICS countries, particularly to mitigate the impacts of climate change and to build climate resilience.

Specifically, South Africa has adopted integrated landscape-based approaches that contribute to restoring degraded ecosystems, improving biodiversity outcomes, enhancing carbon sequestration, strengthening water security and supporting sustainable livelihoods.

The country also recognised the importance of strengthening cooperation on early warning systems, fire risk management, preparedness and response measures, as climate variability continued to increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires globally, he added.

Further, South Africa supports the continued work on resource efficiency and circular economy approaches, particularly through the exchange of experiences on Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks.

A circular economy offers significant opportunities to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, create jobs and support sustainable economic growth.

Therefore, South Africa welcomed the preparation of technical knowledge products that would help BRICS countries to advance circular economy policies and practices, he said.

The country also supports the adoption of the BRICS Environment Ministers Joint Ministerial Statement and welcomes the launch of the various knowledge products and technical papers developed under India's presidency.

“These outcomes will strengthen environmental cooperation among BRICS countries and contribute to a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future for all.”