Clean Power Alone Won’t Save BRICS From Its Fossil Fuel Trap

Source: Devdiscourse | Original Published At: 2026-07-04 05:28:03 UTC

Key Points

• A study published in Energies analyzes the asymmetric effect of renewable and non-renewable energy on CO2 emissions in BRICS countries from 1991 to 2022.
• BRICS nations are responsible for 43.3% of global carbon emissions and consume 40% of the world's energy, making them central to the global climate fight.
• Renewable energy consumption reduces emissions, but fossil fuel dependence remains deeply embedded and can overwhelm green gains.
• Reducing fossil fuel use delivers stronger environmental gains than simply increasing renewables, especially in high-emission contexts.
• Policy stability, infrastructure investment, and workforce development are identified as crucial for a successful energy transition in BRICS economies.
• Trade openness is currently associated with higher emissions in BRICS, suggesting a need for climate-aware trade policies.
• The transition requires cleaner capital, skilled workers, and credible fossil fuel phase-down strategies tailored to country-specific conditions.