ESG education in BRICS: From Chinese discipline to Brazilian flexibility

The BRICS countries are gradually building their ESG education systems, despite their different scales, funding levels, and organizational models, according to the results of the study “Education for Sustainable Development as a Vector of International Cooperation,” prepared by students at the Letovo School with the support of St. Petersburg State University (available to RBC Trends).

China: A green course for all

China has the largest higher education system in the BRICS, with over 2,900 universities and colleges, eight of which are ranked in the top 250 in the QS 2025 global rankings. The national plan for implementing the 2030 Agenda covers 197 million students, and 80% of universities are required to implement ESG courses.

China is focusing on integrating ESG into all levels of education, from kindergarten to graduate school. In 2023, the government allocated over 1.2 billion yen ($168.2 million) to create green campuses and open 75 interdisciplinary centers on sustainable development. Over the past two years, the number of scientific publications on ESG has increased by 46%, making China the leader among BRICS countries.

Brazil: Sustainable development through flexibility

Unlike China, where the system is centralized, Brazil emphasizes collaboration between universities, businesses, and the government. The country has over 2,500 universities, nearly 88% of which are private. The National Sustainable Development Strategy sets the framework but leaves universities free rein, resulting in uneven development of ESG programs.

Sustainability principles are most strongly integrated at the largest universities. The University of São Paulo is implementing a sustainability master plan and partnership projects with businesses, and UNICAMP is creating the International Center for Sustainable Development (HIDS). However, according to research, only about 30% of Brazilian universities have implemented structured ESG programs.

South Africa: ESG between ambition and reality

South Africa is a key player in the ESG agenda in Africa, with a population of over 1.2 billion. South Africa’s constitution enshrines the right to a safe environment and quality education, and the National Development Plan 2030 makes ESG a priority.

The main driver of change is the Fundisa for Change program, which helps teachers integrate sustainability topics into school curricula. Universities are also making progress: the University of Cape Town is developing climate research, and the University of Johannesburg has reduced its CO₂ emissions by 38% since 2015. However, access to ESG education varies greatly by region, with rural schools and universities lagging behind.

India: Scale without transparency

India has one of the largest educational networks in the world: 1,100 universities and 45,000 colleges. In 2020, the country adopted the National Education Policy (NEP), which, like China, integrates ESG approaches into all levels of education. The roadmap’s objectives include 100% school enrollment, increasing female employment, and expanding mentoring programs.

Some universities are already showing results. The Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi reduced its campus carbon footprint by 12% in a year and launched a master’s program in energy transition, while Kharagpur has introduced courses in waste management and sustainable transport. However, a lack of funding and qualified personnel is hindering the systematic implementation of ESG.

Russia: Legal framework and practical steps

Russia is among the BRICS leaders in developing the regulatory framework for ESG education. The federal laws “On Environmental Protection” and “On Education” enshrine environmental education, and updated federal and state educational standards integrate sustainable development topics into school curricula.

Higher education in Russia encompasses over 1,100 universities, ten of which are ranked in the top 500 of the QS 2024 ranking, and four are among the top ten BRICS universities according to MosIUR. As part of the national project “Ecology,” a network of “green” schools is being created, and leading universities are launching specialized courses and master’s programs. HSE University operates an ESG center, RUDN University has launched a program in environmental assessment, and Kazan Federal University is developing an “Environmental Safety” track. Russia also actively participates in international seminars and joint initiatives, but the study notes a problem: a lack of transparent reporting and a gap between regions.

What works best: Study findings

The study’s authors emphasize that centralized models with clear state KPIs and mandatory courses demonstrate faster and more predictable progress. This is clearly demonstrated by the examples of China and South Africa, where ESG integration relies on government will and ambitious educational plans. In decentralized systems such as Brazil, India, and Russia, the pace of ESG course implementation depends on the initiatives of universities themselves and available resources.

The researchers also cite the availability of open data and transparent reporting as important factors. Without this, it is impossible to track progress, scale up best practices, and develop cooperation between countries.

The project’s results were presented at the “Headliners of ESG Principles” conference at the Graduate School of Management, St. Petersburg State University. The study was shortlisted for the competition, and its authors discussed the findings with experts in ESG education, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

This study is based on an analysis of regulatory documents and practical cases. To assess university practices in the ESG field, the top three universities in each country, according to the QS Sustainable Development rankings, were selected.

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