Climate Action
Climate Action (SDG13) is an important United Nations focus. Climate change has devastating effects on all other SDGs and specifically SDG 6[Clean Water and Sanitation], 14[Life below Water] and 15[Life on Land]. Over the recent decades, global warming has worsen global weather patterns resulting in extremely high temperatures, heatwaves, floods, droughts and rising sea levels, among other things.
At its annual summits, BRICS presidents have re-emphasized the importance of implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Paris Agreement. BRICS recognizes that slow action in meeting the climate action targets puts millions globally at risk and therefore promote the strengthening of multilateral response to Climate Change.
This COP is a multidisciplinary research network brining researchers across the BRICS nations to track global climate changes and its effects on global and specifically BRICS governments, author climate action policy briefs and suggest programmatic actions to combat climate change. The COP promotes publications and student and academic exchanges among the BRICS nations
Cop lead- Prof Zou
Dr. ZOU Xiaolong
Biography
Dr. ZOU Xiaolong is an Associate Professor at the School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA), Jilin University in China. He currently serves as Assistant to the Dean. He obtained a Ph.D. in Asia Pacific Studies from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan. His research interests include global energy and climate governance, public policy (urban sustainability and renewable energy), and more. He also serves as a referee in several international journals of high repute, such as Cities, Renewable Energy Review, Natural Resources Forum, IRSPSD, etc.
Zamaswazi Pretty Cele
Biography
Zamaswazi Cele is a PhD candidate in International Relations at Jilin University in China. She serves as a Project Assistant and Coordinator for the BRICS Research Institute at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), under the leadership of Professor Netswera and Dr. Ndivhuho Tshikovhi. She holds a Master’s degree in Management Sciences from DUT. Her academic journey includes international study in BRICS political studies at Fudan University in China and the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil, where she focused on Technology and Innovation Strategies and Policies for Economic Development.
Ms. Cele has participated in several international and local conferences, presenting her research papers. Notably, she was awarded second runner-up for Best Paper (Master’s Category) at a conference held in Brazil in 2022. In 2023, she received a Silver Award in the Research Output Category from the Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT, recognizing her as the most published student. Additionally, she co-authored an academic opinion piece on China-Africa construction cooperation, published in the Global Times (China), in collaboration with Fudan University.