On 30th July 2020, the Environment Ministers of 6th BRICS countries took part in the 6th BRICS Environment meeting. It was held online via video conferencing under the presidency of Russia. The meeting was preceded by the BRICS Working Group meeting.
Key findings:
- Representing India at the meeting Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar emphasized India’s concern towards attaining SDG (Sustainable Development Goal).
- He also showcased India’s great initiative towards tackling air pollution, marine litter and river cleanliness.
- Air Quality Index Monitoring System launched in 2015 in 10 cities initially has been extended to 122 cities today.
- The Union Minister also discussed India’s last year launch of the National Clean Air Programme, the goal of which is to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30 per cent relative to 2017 levels by 2024.
- While showcasing India’s effort to tackle various environmental challenges the Union Minister also offered that India could provide the platform wherein all the best practices in environmental management in BRICS countries could be displayed.
- The Union Minister also extended India’s invitation to the BRICS nation for the upcoming environment meeting which is going to be held in India in 2021.
BRICS:
Composed by the five major emerging economies: Brazil, India, China, Russia and South Africa this group together represents about 42% of the population, 30% of the territory 18% of the global trade and 23% of the GDP. Formed in the year 2009 their headquarter is in Shanghai, China. Every year the member countries meet at annual BRICS summit held by member state turn by turn to discuss the recent progress and happenings across the world. This year the annual summit was planned to be held in Russia however, it got postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic.