BRICS Environment Working Group Meetings 2026 to Be Held in New Delhi
Why in News?
India will host the BRICS Environment Working Group meetings 2026 in New Delhi on 17 and 18 August 2026. The meetings will take place at Bharat Mandapam under India’s BRICS Chairship 2026. The programme includes the BRICS Senior Officers’ Meeting of the Environment Working Group and the Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development. The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting will also take place on 18 August. The meetings form part of India’s wider BRICS environmental and climate agenda.
What is the BRICS Environment Working Group?
The BRICS Environment Working Group (EWG) is a mechanism for environmental cooperation among BRICS members. Its work covers issues such as biodiversity, waste management, environmental governance, climate change, and sustainable development.
The group has operated as an important platform for sharing policies, experiences, technologies, and best practices. BRICS environmental cooperation has also produced ministerial declarations and multi-year work programmes.
What is the Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development?
The Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development (CGCCSD) was established by BRICS Environment Ministers on 28 June 2024 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
It provides a dedicated platform for cooperation on climate change and sustainable development. The group works under the BRICS Environment Working Group and contributes to the environment ministerial process.
Its agenda includes climate adaptation, mitigation, climate finance, technology cooperation, and implementation of international climate commitments.
What is the Agenda of the 2026 Meetings?
India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” The theme provides the broader framework for India’s BRICS activities during the year.
The environmental discussions will focus on major sustainability challenges, including:
- Sustainable lifestyles.
- Afforestation and forest-fire management.
- Disaster resilience.
- Circular economy.
- Climate adaptation.
The ministerial discussions are expected to consider practical cooperation among BRICS countries.
Related Information
Environmental cooperation has become an important part of the BRICS agenda. In 2025, BRICS Environment Ministers endorsed cooperation on desertification, land degradation, drought, ecosystem restoration, plastic pollution, waste management, and climate action.
BRICS countries have also supported cooperation on biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources. The grouping has emphasised implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and stronger cooperation on environmental protection.
India’s 2026 Chairship gives additional importance to resilience, adaptation, disaster preparedness, and sustainable development. These priorities connect environmental policy with wider development concerns.
BRICS Environment Working Group Meetings 2026 Exam-Oriented Facts
- Event: BRICS Environment Working Group Meetings 2026.
- Dates: 17–18 August 2026.
- Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Host: India.
- Chairship: India’s BRICS Chairship 2026.
- BRICS EWG: Environment Working Group.
- CGCCSD: Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development.
- CGCCSD Established: 28 June 2024.
- Place of Establishment: Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
- Ministerial Meeting: 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting.
- India’s BRICS 2026 Theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
- Major Priorities: Sustainable lifestyles, afforestation, forest-fire management, disaster resilience, circular economy and climate adaptation.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Bharat Mandapam: Major convention and exhibition complex in New Delhi.
- Key Environmental Areas: Climate change, biodiversity, waste management, ecosystem restoration and sustainable development.
