Environmentally Sound Technologies for Climate Change Mitigation in BRICS Countries: A Comparative Policy and Legal Perspective

Abstract

The adoption of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs), with potential for significantly improving environmental performance relative to other technologies, provide one of the effective steps for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The grouping of emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. Hence the BRICS countries have a great potential in mitigating GHG emissions. They can play a key role in the global climate change negotiations. Therefore, adoption of ESTs in these countries play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. In this context, this paper analyses the national laws and plans in BRICS countries pertinent to ESTs that can contribute in attaining the 'stabilization of GHG concentrations in the atmosphere' (Article 2) objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The legal provisions for development, dissemination, and technology transfer commitments concerning ESTs in general and within the BRICS countries in particular are analyzed to understand the current position and future directions toward climate change mitigation.