<p>The importance of this research lies in its contribution to the future literature by addressing a previously neglected area, examining the crucial role of financial development (FD) in environmental degradation across the five BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). This study employs comprehensive measures of both FD and environmental quality, an approach largely absent in earlier research on these economies. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of renewable energy, financial development, Industry 4.0, agriculture, global value chain management, and digitalisation on sustainable development, focusing on carbon neutrality in BRICS countries. Quantile regression was employed using data from 1990 to 2021 from BRICS countries. The benefit of quantile regression is that it helps to revise policy efforts at different quantiles. The empirical outcomes from the quantile regression show that both financial development and renewable energy aid in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the upper and lower quantiles and in short-term financial development have no impact on sustainable development. Furthermore, carbon emissions in BRICS countries are declining because of Industry 4.0, and agricultural activities, while the global value chains have a negative impact on sustainable development. The empirical results are used to formulate practical policy implications that promote the sustenance of financial development, renewable energy, and digitalisation in the BRICS economies, thus driving sustainable development.</p>