Emerging economies push back on ‘green protectionism’ as Lula prepares for Cop 30 in Brazil

On the closing day of the Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro, leaders of the expanded 11-member bloc demanded that developed countries uphold their financial commitments to tackle climate change, while defending the continued use of fossil fuels and forest resource sovereignty in the Global South.

The summit, which positioned Brics as a counterweight to Western-led climate diplomacy, issued a joint declaration that reiterated longstanding demands for climate justice and equity. “Providing climate finance is a responsibility of developed countries towards developing countries,” the statement read, echoing the standard position held by emerging economies in UN climate talks.

As Brazil gears up to host the next United Nations Climate Conference (COP30) in Belém this November, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has underscored the leadership of the Global South in confronting the planetary crisis. “We live in a moment of many contradictions in the whole world. The important thing is that we are willing to overcome these contradictions,” said Brazil’s Environment Minister Marina Silva, when asked about plans for offshore oil exploration near the Amazon.

Despite mounting global pressure to phase out hydrocarbons, BRICS leaders stated that fossil fuels “will continue to play an important role in the global energy mix,” particularly for countries balancing development goals with climate commitments.

The bloc also endorsed Brazil’s proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, a climate fund intended to support forest preservation in tropical countries beyond the obligations of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Two sources told Reuters that both China and the UAE have expressed intent to invest in the fund following meetings with Brazil’s Finance Minister Fernando Haddad in Rio.

The joint communique took a hard line against what the bloc called “discriminatory protectionist measures” disguised as environmental policy—specifically naming carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM) and anti-deforestation regulations adopted by the European Union. Brics leaders argued such policies unfairly penalize developing economies under the pretext of climate action.

Opening with a call to defend multilateralism in a divided world, the summit showcased BRICS’ ambition to shape a more inclusive and balanced global order. The group now accounts for 40 per cent of global GDP and has expanded its climate agenda to include calls for greater investment in adaptation, technology transfer, and recognition of diverse development pathways.

As Lula prepares to host Cop 30 in the heart of the Amazon later this year, all eyes will be on whether Brics can bridge the gap between emerging economy needs and the urgent global push to limit warming to 1.5°C.