Trade and environment | UNCTAD

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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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BioTrade

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Circular Economy

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Climate Change

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Oceans Economy and Fisheries

News

Plastic waste

How cooperation on trade can help tackle plastic pollution

With about 75% of all the plastic ever produced becoming waste, countries are exploring how to use trade and development policies and negotiations in the fight against plastic pollution.

Belize fisheries

Belize develops plan to sustainably manage dozens of finfish species

The science-based innovative plan uses a multispecies approach to make coastal fishing in the Caribbean nation sustainable and expand livelihood opportunities.

Africa biodiversity

How continental treaty can foster sustainable trade in biodiversity in Africa

New study shows how to transform the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement into an enabler of sustainable trade in biodiversity as a key driver of an environmentally friendly recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Carbon emissions

EU should consider trade impacts of new climate change mechanism

The mechanism could help avoid “carbon leakage”, but its impact on climate change would be limited – only a 0.1% drop in global CO2 emissions – with higher trade costs for developing countries.

Recent publications

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Material substitutes to address marine plastic pollution and support a circular economy

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Stakeholder maps of the conch value chains of Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

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Implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area for Trade and Biodiversity: Policy and Regulatory Recommendations

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A European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: Implications for developing countries

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Linking trade and biodiversity

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Climate change, green recovery and trade

Projects

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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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Green trade for sustainable development in Pacific small island developing States

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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

Events and meetings

Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies (OETS): Caribbean and Central American  experience  sharing  workshop - looking back and forging ahead 

23 - 24 Sep 2021

Workshop on trade and biodiversity: Evidence and options for using sustainability standards to strengthen the post-2020 global biodiversity framework

How can cooperation on trade contribute to the UNEA process on plastic pollution?

Online (registration link below) / Geneva, Switzerland

Alliances for Circular Economy in Latin America

Virtual / Online, Switzerland

Documents and publications

Material substitutes to address marine plastic pollution and support a circular economy

Issues and options for trade policymakers

UNCTAD/DITC/TED/INF/2021/5 - 16 Sep 2021

English

Stakeholder maps of the conch value chains of Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

UNCTAD/DITC/TED/INF/2021/4 - 15 Sep 2021

English

Better Trade for Sustainable Development: The role of voluntary sustainability standards

Developing Countries in International Trade Studies

UNCTAD/DITC/TAB/2021/2 - 03 Sep 2021

English

Implications of the African Continental Free Trade Area for Trade and Biodiversity: Policy and Regulatory Recommendations

UNCTAD/DITC/TED/INF/2021/3 - 30 Jul 2021

English