Posted on July, 09 2025
9 July 2025 – The final declaration from BRICS+ leaders, released at their summit yesterday, offers important steps on environmental issues, especially around forests and biodiversity. But when it comes to climate, the message falls short — and the moment demands much more, says WWF.
On the positive side, the group has, for the first time, laid out a political vision for nature that builds on previous statements. The declaration provides visibility to international cooperation and climate finance, reaffirming developed countries’ historical responsibility, while recognizing the value of South-South cooperation in bridging the growing gap in climate funding, says Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead.
“There is welcome language on forests, including support for the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, a Brazilian-led initiative that could help scale up forest finance and sustainable forest management in tropical countries. But major omissions overshadow those positives.”
The climate crisis is treated as background noise, scattered across chapters, with no real integration with important issues such as trade, finance, peace, or multilateral governance. There is still no clear articulation of the BRICS+ role in the global climate response, he noted.
Tatiana Oliviera, WWF-Brazil policy specialist said: “A serious concern is the recognition that fossil fuels remain important for BRICS+ countries; this is completely misaligned with a 1.5°C future and will drive further climate chaos. Even the potential for leadership on renewables, where BRICS countries like Brazil, India, and China already have strong examples, is left unexplored.”
Shirley Matheson, WWF Global NDC Enhancement Coordinator, said the declaration fails to present BRICS+ as a climate leader. It includes no clear pressure for the delivery of upcoming new national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs) - due to be submitted this year to the UN, covering the emissions reductions plans for the period 2025 - 2030; or National Adaptation Plans, due to the UN by next year. “We also expected a call for the submission of NDCs 3.0 – strengthened National Plans – by September, but this opportunity was missed, which would have contributed to a good outcome for COP30.”
With COP30 in Belém just months away, what is needed now is a clearer, more ambitious contribution by BRICS+ to the global agenda — one that aligns nature and climate, and reflects the scale and urgency of the crises we face, says Pulgar-Vidal.
For further information, contact Mandy Jean Woods mwoods@wwfint.org
