NEW DELHI (September 15, 2026) — The 2026 BRICS Summit concluded in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from countries including India, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Iran, Russia and South Africa to discuss economic development, global cooperation and climate action. BRICS leaders released the New Delhi Declaration, which reaffirms support for the Paris Agreement and sets out shared priorities including climate adaptation, energy security and the sustainable management of forests, water and land.Together, BRICS countries are home to nearly half the world’s population, account for around 40% of global GDP and over half of global greenhouse gas emissions. This gives them a major stake in shaping the world’s climate and environmental future — and significant influence over it. Following is a statement from Melanie Robinson, Global Climate, Finance and Economics Director, World Resources Institute: ‘At a time of deep geopolitical division, the common ground BRICS leaders found in Delhi is significant. This year has shown how quickly crises ripple across borders — conflict disrupting energy markets and extreme weather upending lives, food production and infrastructure, all of it hitting household bills and supply chains. These challenges demand greater international cooperation to tackle both the short-term consequences and long-term causes. ‘Devastating floods in Nepal and China and crushing heat waves across much of the world underscore how vulnerable people and economies are to the climate crisis. It is encouraging that BRICS leaders have made resilience a clear priority and identified practical ways to strengthen it. We welcome the Declaration’s support for exploring how central banks can help make climate investments, including in adaptation, more bankable. Climate adaptation is not simply a cost, but one of the smartest investments a country can make: WRI research finds that every $1 invested in adaptation can deliver more than $10 in benefits over a decade. ‘The task now is to carry this focus on adaptation into the next BRICS, G20 and COP Presidencies. Adaptation needs to move from the sidelines and become a central priority for protecting growth, infrastructure, lives and livelihoods. By working together on shared challenges, countries can better prepare economies and societies for a more volatile future — increasing public and private investment, improving insurance markets and data and exchanging knowledge and best practices, while supporting communities on the front lines of climate change. ‘On energy, BRICS leaders’ backing for greater cooperation on smart grids and energy storage is a positive step. These technologies can strengthen energy security, reduce exposure to price volatility and support the shift to cleaner energy. Faster electrification, improved efficiency, more affordable clean power, and greater demand flexibility that helps make better use of existing electricity supply can accelerate the energy transition. With the right planning, regulation and investment, this can support workers and communities while creating jobs, competitive clean industries and more resilient domestic energy systems.’ ‘The Declaration’s support for carbon market cooperation and expanding domestic markets in developing and emerging economies is welcome. As countries design and implement these markets, robust measurement, reporting and verification will be essential, as will ensuring that carbon credits represent additional, independently verified reductions and meet strong environmental and social safeguards. The Declaration also recognizes that countries’ long-term prosperity depends on healthy forests, reliable water and productive land. Its call for ambitious contributions to the Tropical Forest Forever Facility is welcome, but governments must now put serious money behind it. With sufficient funding and strong safeguards, the TFFF could provide lasting incentives to keep tropical forests standing and ensure benefits reach the Indigenous Peoples and local communities who have protected them for generations.’