12th BRICS Environment Ministers Meeting

Key Highlights:

• The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting was held under India’s BRICS 2026 Chairship.
• Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav unveiled four knowledge compendiums prepared by the BRICS Environment Working Group.
• These compendiums reflect leading practices, knowledge systems, and innovations among BRICS member countries.
• The documents are a result of collaborative efforts to share national experiences and innovative solutions.

Detailed Insights:

• The first compendium focuses on National Experiences, Leading Practices & Success Stories on Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles, including India's Mission LiFE and SAMBHAV Campaign.
• The second compendium addresses Best Practices and Innovative Approaches for Integrated Fire Management, recognizing the global challenge of increasing wildfires.
• The third compendium covers Integrated Landscape-Based Greening Approaches, tackling land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
• The fourth compendium details Extended Producer Responsibility Frameworks and Leading Circular Economy Practices, showcasing India's market-based EPR architecture.
• These compendiums aim to strengthen cooperation, facilitate knowledge and experience sharing, and build capacity among BRICS nations.

Key Concepts Involved:

• BRICS: An intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, now expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.
• Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): An India-led global movement promoting environmentally conscious lifestyle choices and sustainable consumption.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): A policy approach where producers are given significant responsibility for the treatment or disposal of post-consumer products.