BRICS nations call for joint efforts to improve environment

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 31

India could provide the platform wherein all best practices in environmental management in BRICS countries could be showcased, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said during the sixth BRICS environment ministers’ meet that called for joint efforts to improve the environment and promote circular economy.

Environment ministers of the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) participated in the 6th BRICS environment ministers’ meeting via video-conferencing under the presidency of Russia.

Representing India, Javadekar said, “India attaches great importance to the grouping.” He also elaborated on the efforts made by India in areas related to sustainable urban management, tackling marine litter, air pollution and cleaning of rivers, according to a statement released today.

Javadekar said the aspiration of BRICS countries were similar and called for sharing of best practices among the BRICS nations towards attainment of sustainable development goals.

He also stressed the need to implement various initiatives under the BRICS and for speedy implementation of the BRICS MoU. He offered that India could provide the platform wherein all best practices in environmental management in BRICS countries could be showcased, the official statement added.

Highlighting the efforts made by India in controlling air pollution, Javadekar said in 2015 India launched the air quality index monitoring in 10 cities. Today it had been extended to 122 cities. He added that in 2019 India launched the national clean air programme (NCAP), the goal of which is to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30 per cent relative to 2017 levels by 2024.