Focal Interest
Focal Interest
AI Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

This page presents an AI-generated summary of a published research paper. The original authors did not write or review this article. [See full disclosure ↓]

Publishing process signals: MODERATE — reflects the venue and review process. — venue and review process.

BRICS discourse challenges Western climate governance narratives

A wide landscape view of a large, empty parliamentary or conference chamber with tiered blue seating arranged in a semicircular hemicycle pattern, white vertical striping on the walls, and multiple screens displaying flags above the seating area.
Research area:LawDiscourse analysisClimate change

What the study found

The study argues that BRICS countries use climate-related legal discourse to challenge Western narratives in global climate governance. It also says that the knowledge system underlying legal and political discourse is central to changing power structures in this area.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors say the Global South needs an autonomous knowledge system to resist the universalization and objectification of Western knowledge. They conclude that a shift in epistemology, meaning a change in how knowledge is framed and authorized, is needed to change power structures in global climate governance.

What the researchers tested

The article analyzes the request for an advisory opinion on the obligations of states in respect of climate change, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023 and submitted to the International Court of Justice. It uses comparative legal discourse analysis to examine the core discourse of BRICS countries in climate governance and how these discourses are constructed.

What worked and what didn't

The article presents BRICS as an important example of South-South cooperation and says it can help challenge Western narratives and offer alternative governance models. It emphasizes that climate litigation is not only a legal tool but also a means of discourse construction.

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not provide specific findings from the discourse analysis beyond these broad claims. It also does not describe detailed limitations, sample scope, or the full set of BRICS country materials analyzed.

Key points

  • The article argues that BRICS climate discourse challenges Western dominance in global climate governance.
  • It says climate litigation also functions as a way to build and shape discourse.
  • The authors argue that the Global South needs an autonomous knowledge system.
  • The study analyzes the 2023 UN General Assembly request for an ICJ advisory opinion on states' climate obligations.
  • The abstract does not give detailed limits or specific country-by-country results.

Disclosure

Research title:
BRICS discourse challenges Western climate governance narratives
Authors:
Xisheng Wang
Institutions:
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
Publication date:
2026-03-10
DOI:
10.1007/s44216-026-00074-y
OpenAlex record:
View
AI provenance: This post was generated by OpenAI. The original authors did not write or review this post.

More posts