The New Delhi Declaration, adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit, signals a notable departure from conventional climate policy discussions, particularly by omitting the term “Net Zero.” This strategic move highlights the expanded grouping’s intent to align decarbonization efforts with broader development priorities, energy security, and economic resilience, setting a distinct agenda from the climate frameworks prevalent in Europe and other developed economies.
Instead of a singular focus on achieving Net Zero emissions, the BRICS climate strategy frames climate change within the comprehensive challenge of sustainable development. This perspective inherently links environmental pressures with issues such as inequality, economic advancement, and the political economy of growth. Rathin Roy, a distinguished professor, underscored the profound multilateral nature of the declaration, noting its argument for emerging economies to wield power commensurate with their economic influence in the global system. He emphasized that the document consistently prioritizes “sustainable development, including climate,” weaving a broader lens into its environmental approach.
The deliberate absence of the “Net Zero” terminology carries significant political weight. Roy pointed out that this framing fundamentally differs from how Euro-American nations typically articulate the climate change problem, marking a clear pushback against what BRICS members perceive as a Western-centric model.
The declaration intricately connects climate resilience with critical aspects of national development, including industrial policy, access to critical minerals, robust energy systems, secure supply chains, essential infrastructure, stable finance, comprehensive insurance, and reliable food security. It also strongly advocates for differentiated responsibilities, acknowledging diverse national circumstances and development pathways. Furthermore, the declaration calls for increased climate finance, technology transfer, and capacity-building support from developed economies, recognizing their historical contributions to emissions and their greater capacity to assist.
This comprehensive approach genuinely reflects the urgent priorities of developing economies, where climate action cannot be isolated from fundamental needs like energy access, infrastructure investment, and industrialization. Li Shuo, Director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, observed that BRICS is determined to forge its own energy transition pathway, one that harmonizes development and decarbonization rather than treating them as conflicting objectives.
Crucially, the bloc's position maintains a significant role for fossil fuels, especially in developing nations, while simultaneously fostering cooperation on advanced energy solutions such as smart grids, energy storage technologies, hydrogen production, and solar manufacturing. The declaration also expresses strong opposition to carbon-border adjustment mechanisms, labeling them as unilateral, punitive, discriminatory, and protectionist, arguing that such measures could undermine the capacity of developing countries to adapt and grow their economies.
Ultimately, the New Delhi Declaration represents not a rejection of climate action, but a deliberate attempt to redefine its terms. It places development, resilience, and expanded policy space for the Global South firmly alongside decarbonization efforts, offering an alternative vision for global climate governance.