Environmental protection constitutes a key pillar of sustainable development within BRICS, underpinning biodiversity conservation, pollution control, resource efficiency, and climate resilience. It seeks to address shared environmental challenges while promoting sustainable economic growth, responsible resource management, and improved environmental quality across member countries.

The BRICS Environment Ministerial Track laid the foundation for cooperation by institutionalising regular ministerial consultations, establishing a dedicated Environment Working Group, exploring financing for environmental projects through the New Development Bank (NDB), promoting green technology cooperation and public–private partnerships, and advancing collaborative initiatives. One such initiative is Partnership on Urban Environmental Sustainability Initiative (PUESI) that aims to share knowledge and experience on waste management, cogeneration, reverse logistics, sanitation, urban air quality and green areas. Building on this, the BRICS Environmentally Sound Technology (BEST) Platform enables the joint collaboration and knowledge sharing on cross-cutting areas. BRICS cooperation extends to urban environmental management, contaminated areas and soil remediation, water quality, and circular economy in context of sustainable consumption and production, marine litter and biodiversity (BRICS Brazil 2019b).

Environmental protection is one of NDB’s key areas of operation under its General Strategy for 2022–2026, which focuses on projects that reduce the negative environmental impacts of socioeconomic activities. The Strategy highlights investments that promote sustainable management of natural resources, including nature-based solutions, and that contribute to pollution prevention, cleaner production and lower emissions (NDB, 2022). By the end of 2025, NDB’s approvals in environmental protection reached about USD 400 million in its portfolio, reflecting a growing commitment to dedicated environmental operations (NDB, 2026).

Looking ahead, NDB will keep exploring opportunities to support projects that can contribute to pollution abatement and prevention, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable waste management.