Trade and environment

We work with governments to build green and blue economies and ensure trade is part of the solution to the climate crisis.

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Green export strategies

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Climate Change

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Circular economy

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Oceans Economy and Fisheries

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BioTrade

News

A graph showing that over 50% of global copper reserves lie in just five countries

Copper supply crunch threatens energy and digital transitions

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) warns a looming copper shortfall could stall the world’s shift to clean energy and digital technologies.

SMEP helps Kenyan farmers transform discarded pineapple leaves into textile-grade fibres, nutrient-rich compost and soil-enhancing products.

How cleaner production bolsters economic resilience in developing countries

From protecting the environment to empowering bottom-up innovation and improving livelihoods, efforts are underway to connect the dots and accelerate progress towards prosperity for all.

Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Climate-smart trade facilitation: From efficiency to climate solutions

A new project sets out to cut carbon emissions from cross-border trade while enhancing efficiency, sustainability, economic and climate resilience in Africa and Asia-Pacific.

Industrial effluent discharge from a textile factory in Lahore, Pakistan.

Liquid asset: Rethinking water use in global manufacturing powerhouses

Projects are demonstrating early potential for water-intensive sectors to transition to eco-friendly production while sustaining trade-driven growth.

Recent publications

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Global Trade Update (May 2025): Focus on critical minerals – copper in the new green and digital economy

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Leaving the shore: Marine-based substitutes and alternatives to plastics

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Fostering environmentally sustainable electronic commerce

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A deep dive into ocean-related measures in the nationally determined contributions of small island developing States

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The role of the G20 in promoting green and just transitions

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Trade and investment policies to advance national climate plans: Draft guides for policymakers

More publications

Featured event

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UN Trade and Development at the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference

Featured Podcast

Powering trade: Why renewable energy needs a push from positive policies

This week, after the COP29 global climate summit, The Weekly Tradecast is looking at renewable energy and why trade, aid and investment policies need a rethink.

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Projects

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Greening the AfCFTA : Building climate-resilient green value chains across the Africa

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National Green Export Reviews

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Global BioTrade Facilitation Programme

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Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies

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Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Green Trade Project

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Trade and Agricultural Policies to Support Small-scale Farmers and Enhance Food Security

Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP)

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Oceans Economy and Blue BioTrade in the Caribbean region

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Fostering Green Exports through Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Developing Countries

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Events and meetings

UNCTAD at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference

9 – 13 June 2025

Embedding the bioeconomy into national circular economy plans

FEA-USP, USP Campus, São Paulo, Brazil

Webinar – Understanding traceability and due diligence in the leather supply chain: Perspectives from Pakistan and Bangladesh

On the road to the Third United Nations Ocean Conference: briefing on the outcomes of the Fifth United Nations Ocean Forum

Online and New York, United States of America

2nd training workshop for communicators on circular economy

10 – 14 March 2025

Stonetown, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania

Marine-based Products and Services Expo

3 – 5 March 2025

Geneva, Switzerland

Documents and publications

Global Trade Update (May 2025)

Focus on critical minerals: Copper in the new green and digital economy

UNCTAD/DITC/INF/2025/3 - 08 Apr 2025

English

Leaving the shore: Marine-based substitutes and alternatives to plastics

UNCTAD/TCS/DITC/INF/2025/4 - 04 Mar 2025

English

A deep dive into ocean-related measures in the nationally determined contributions of small island developing States

UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2024/2 - 02 Dec 2024

English

The Role of the G20 in Promoting Green and Just Transitions

14 Nov 2024

English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1787/548e71cd-en

Contact

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