The role of BASIC Countries in the Climate Change Negotiations after Copenhagen

The briefing examines the role of the BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) after the 2009 Copenhagen Accord. It notes that while the BASIC countries helped broker the Accord, they view it as a set of 'building blocks' rather than a replacement for the UNFCCC's formal two-track system. The group continues to push for developed nations to provide financing, technology transfer, and clear emissions targets. The document highlights a strategic alignment between the BASIC countries and the African Union on issues of climate justice and the balance between economic development and emissions reduction.

• The BASIC countries (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) played a controversial role in brokering the 2009 Copenhagen Accord, receiving both praise for preventing the collapse of climate talks and criticism for engaging in an "exclusionary process".
• Following Copenhagen, the BASIC countries are expected to maintain a dual approach to negotiations, participating in formal United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes while continuing informal negotiations with nations like the United States to leverage shifting power dynamics.
• The BASIC countries maintain that the Copenhagen Accord should serve as "building blocks" for future negotiations rather than a replacement for the UNFCCC's two-track system, which focuses on industrialized countries' emissions reductions and long-term cooperative action.
• The BASIC countries continue to advocate for developed nations to provide technology for mitigation, set clear emissions reduction targets, and commit to financing. The Copenhagen Accord mentioned a Copenhagen Climate Fund and annual commitments of US$30 billion from 2010-2012, but failed to commit developed countries to specific greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
• There is a strategic alignment between the BASIC countries and the African Union (AU), particularly regarding the Nairobi declaration. Common interests include balancing development with emissions reduction, ensuring technology transfer, and insisting that developed countries bear the costs of adaptation and mitigation.

APA

Whande, W. (n.d.). The role of BASIC Countries in the Climate Change Negotiations after Copenhagen. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-role-of-basic-countries-in-the-climate-change-negotiations-after-copenhagen

Chicago

Whande, Webster. The role of BASIC Countries in the Climate Change Negotiations after Copenhagen. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-role-of-basic-countries-in-the-climate-change-negotiations-after-copenhagen.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Whande |first1=Webster |title=The role of BASIC Countries in the Climate Change Negotiations after Copenhagen |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-role-of-basic-countries-in-the-climate-change-negotiations-after-copenhagen |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{whandendrole, author = {Whande, Webster}, title = {{The role of BASIC Countries in the Climate Change Negotiations after Copenhagen}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.org/iss-today/the-role-of-basic-countries-in-the-climate-change-negotiations-after-copenhagen}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }