Brics+ nations could offer indigenous communities new platform for environmental advocacy

While Indigenous and local communities (IPLCs) lead conservation efforts worldwide, they often find themselves excluded from major environmental decision-making processes. Traditional global frameworks like the Convention on Biological Diversity and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have acknowledged Indigenous rights, but significant barriers remain. These communities face challenges including rigid legal frameworks, limited representation, language obstacles, and the overwhelming influence of powerful global actors who prioritize different agendas.

The expanding BRICS+ alliance—now comprising 10 nations including Brazil, China, India, Russia, and South Africa—may offer Indigenous communities an alternative path forward. This coalition represents half the world’s population and two-fifths of global trade, positioning itself as a counterweight to Western-dominated environmental governance. With 12 additional nations seeking membership, BRICS+ is rapidly building institutions that could reshape energy trade, international finance, and environmental policy.

For Indigenous communities, BRICS+ presents unique opportunities. The alliance’s emphasis on multipolar governance aligns with Indigenous preferences for decentralized, locally-driven natural resource management. Unlike traditional frameworks that often impose uniform solutions, BRICS+ nations may be more receptive to diverse approaches that respect Indigenous knowledge systems and territorial rights.

As the geopolitical landscape continues evolving, this emerging platform could provide Indigenous and local communities with greater influence over environmental policies that directly affect their territories and livelihoods. The question remains whether BRICS+ will translate its alternative governance rhetoric into meaningful inclusion and support for these frontline conservation communities.