This report was prepared by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in the context of technical assistance to the 2025 Brazilian Chairship of BRICS to support the work and deliberations of the Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development (CGCCSD), with a particular focus on Priority 4: “Synergizing Trade and Climate Goals in BRICS Cooperation.”
The report does not represent the views of the member States of the BRICS.
11 countries, 28% of global GDP
The BRICS includes 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. BRICS countries accounted for nearly half of the world’s population and 28% of global gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.
The report examines indicators and methodologies to assess the development implications of trade-related climate measures on BRICS countries.
Based on this analysis, a set of policy options is suggested to increase countries’ resilience, maximize positive spillovers (including new trade diversification opportunities), and minimize adverse effects, while promoting policy coherence between trade and climate objectives at national, BRICS, and multilateral levels.
Key recommendations
1. Targeted measures to enhance the resilience of affected sectors (national and international level)
- Increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity grid and as an energy source for sectors targeted by trade-related climate measures
- Explore international climate financing initiatives to unlock funding for low-emission and resilient infrastructure, and technology acquisition and deployment
- Couple green growth and decarbonization objectives with policies to increase productive capacity, strategically promoting industrial, agricultural, and forestry sectors that could attract investment
2. Tools to maximize positive spillovers while minimizing adverse effects
- Use ex ante impact assessment models and indicators to help capture the potential impact of trade-related climate measures
- Support affordable access to technology and research cooperation through South-South cooperation
3. Measures to support BRICS international cooperation
- Strengthen the capacity of civil servants and institutions in sustainable industrial policymaking and delivery
- Develop and include green and just transition principles and policy coherence considerations