The BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are responsible for forty-two per cent of global carbon emissions. These rapidly industrializing and economically growing countries are dependent on fossil fuels, which can lead to increased emissions. This research analyses the impact of economic growth, globalization, and renewable energy (RE) use on CO₂ using a unique dataset of 155 observations and a practical model. Using panel data for 1990–2020, this study examines the relationships between CO₂ emissions, GDP, RE use, and the KOF Globalization Index based on the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) theory. Cointegration, unit root test, panel data analysis, and FGLS regression methods were used in this study. The results show that economic growth and globalization increase CO₂, while RE is insufficient to reduce these effects. Moreover, it is determined that globalization has an increasing effect on CO₂. This study makes a prominent contribution to the literature by examining the combined effects of globalization and economic growth on environmental sustainability. The findings emphasize the need for sustainable energy policies in BRICS countries.