The future we want begins with the decisions we take today. It is reflected in rich natural heritage, the environment and the people. Alongside these natural foundations stand the symbols of development—urbanisation, economic growth and the aspirations. The task before us is to ensure that the pathway ahead advances economic prosperity while strengthening ecological safeguards.

The BRICS countries represent a significant share of the world’s population, natural resources, and provide a unique platform for collaboration and cooperation, one that is inclusive, resilient, sustainable and firmly rooted in the priorities of the Global South. In a world marked by accelerating environmental challenges, climate uncertainties, biodiversity loss and widening development gaps, India as the BRICS 2026 Chair, guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability (BRICS)”, prioritised collective action for the people and the planet.

India’s BRICS priorities under the Environment Working Group anchored in the interlinked areas: promoting sustainable lifestyles, circular economy, afforestation, forest fire management and disaster resilience, and climate adaptation. They have been identified given that BRICS Member Countries face similar challenges and can jointly find solutions, taking into account national circumstances. These priorities draw on the rich traditional knowledge, lived experiences and practical innovations of BRICS countries. The collective effort is to build bridges across countries, communities and knowledge systems. This approach recognises that the transition to sustainable development must not only protect ecosystems, but also strengthen communities, secure livelihoods, and uphold inter-generational and intra-generational equity.

As the environmental challenges deepen so does the need for a resilient community emerges. BRICS with its diverse experience and a people-centric vision is positioned as a bridge between people and policy, tradition and technology, development and environmental stewardship, and national priorities and global responsibilities. A key element in this is the recognition that environmental resilience must be built from the ground up. Local communities have long acknowledged as custodians of ecosystems, preserving natural heritage, traditional knowledge, sustainable resource-use practices and nature-based livelihoods, and their wisdom offer valuable insights into climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, water management and sustainable agriculture. Protecting these communities and their livelihoods is therefore not only a social responsibility, but also an environmental necessity.

BRICS countries are adopting practical and scalable solutions that integrates modern science with traditional wisdom whether it be restoring degraded landscapes, conserving wetlands, managing water resources, protecting forests, promoting renewable energy or supporting sustainable livelihoods. The future lies not in choosing between tradition and innovation, but in bringing them together. By combining community wisdom with modern science and technology, we can develop solutions that are both locally relevant and globally impactful.

The future of environmental stewardship will increasingly be shaped by science, technology and data-driven decision-making, and should include communities, so that they are able to respond to extreme events more effectively. Artificial intelligence, satellite monitoring, drones, geospatial technologies and digital platforms are creating unprecedented opportunities to protect ecosystems, restore degraded landscapes, monitor wildlife, improve resource management and strengthen climate resilience, for instance, AI supported early warning systems, biodiversity assessments, pollution monitoring, climate risk mapping, drone-based seeding and digital mapping migratory corridors of critical and vulnerable species. Technology must become a force multiplier for sustainable development, helping us achieve better outcomes faster and at greater scale. Technology must remain a tool for inclusion, not exclusion, while ensuring that technological solutions are accessible, affordable and adaptable to local contexts.

For India, and for BRICS as a collective, the commitment to sustainable development is closely linked to the vision of inclusive growth, where the future generations inherit stronger economies, healthier ecosystems and resilient communities. A resilient future should be transformative, where development reaches the last mile, where communities are empowered, where nature is protected, and where technology serves humanity.

BRICS holds the promise of the future, building bridges between societal need and aspirations, economic progress and ecological security and reimagining people-planet connect!

BRICS INDIA 2026: Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability, https://www.brics2026.gov.in/

Joint Statement of the 12th Environment Minsiters’ Meeting, 18 August 2206 https://d2jiw2zrmmyqt8.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/18151946/Joint-Statement-of-the-12-BRICS-Environment-Ministers-Meeting.pdf

12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting held on 18 August 2026, https://www.brics2026.gov.in/events/12th-brics-environment-ministers-meeting/

By Swayamprabha Das