Brazil-India climate dialogue: Forging a Global South climate partnership

Brazilian Climate Network members visit India from 21- 25 April 2025

In the face of a universal climate crisis that requires localised solutions, the Brazil-India Climate Dialogue emerges as a significant initiative bringing together two major Global South economies to co-develop strategies for clean energy, climate finance, and sustainable infrastructure.

From April 21–25, a delegation of Brazilian lawmakers visited India as part of a growing climate partnership. The dialogue was co-organised by the Climate Parliament under its Empowering Parliamentarians to Accelerate Energy Transition (EPET) initiative, alongside the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). With Brazil set to host both BRICS and COP30, and India leading in renewable energy deployment, the visit aimed to forge a common South-South voice in global climate governance.

The dialogue began with an informal dinner in Delhi where Indian and Brazilian legislators exchanged strategies on energy transitions and discussed leveraging platforms like BRICS and COP30. Brazilian MPs expressed interest in joining the International Solar Alliance and exploring regional energy models that could be adapted in Latin America.

On April 22, a roundtable co-hosted by CII in Delhi brought together Indian clean energy leaders and lawmakers from both nations. Key discussion points included cost-cutting strategies in renewable energy and storage, scalable green technologies, climate finance through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and the policy frameworks behind India’s renewable energy success. Brazilian delegates expressed strong interest in adapting these models and emphasised the scope for private-sector collaboration.

The delegation then travelled to Hyderabad, visiting RESustainability’s waste management facility to understand India's innovations in the urban circular economy, including engineered landfills and integrated recycling. RESustainability expressed interest in partnering with Brazilian municipalities on PPP-led solutions. They also visited the CII Green Business Centre to explore India’s green building standards and low-carbon housing models. CII-GBC offered technical support and proposed pilot initiatives in Brazil.

On April 24, the team visited Greenko’s Pinnapuram facility in Andhra Pradesh, India’s largest integrated renewable project combining solar, wind, and pumped hydro. The visit showcased India's capabilities in round-the-clock renewable power and sparked discussions on technology transfer, joint ventures, and co-located green industries.

Throughout the visit, key themes emerged: Brazil’s interest in India’s low-cost finance strategies; aligning policies with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission; joint R&D initiatives, and the idea of piloting ‘Green Zones’-innovation hubs for clean energy investment and equitable transitions. Both nations underlined the need for South-South climate leadership and committed to a coordinated message at COP30.

Looking ahead, a Brazil-hosted Climate Parliament summit is planned for November 2025 in Rio. This will further formalise cooperation, with CII-GBC and RESustainability pledging pro-bono technical support, policy workshops, and exchange programmes. Future initiatives will focus on PPPs, startup collaboration, and joint ventures in green hydrogen, renewables, and waste-to-energy.

This partnership goes beyond diplomacy, it represents a practical, legislator-led model for collaborative climate action, emphasising clean tech innovation and people-centric policies. As Brazil and India prepare for COP30, their shared commitment sets a precedent for resilient, inclusive, and just energy transitions across the Global South.