Trade and environment | UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

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

Graph showing developing countries increasingly drive the growth of the ocean economy

Developing countries increasingly drive ocean economy but must diversify for resilience

Many developing economies rely heavily on a single ocean sector, leaving them vulnerable to sudden shifts in tariffs, market access or demand.

A graph showing that SIDS's ocean exports are 10 times higher per capita than the global average

Small island nations’ reliance on ocean services heightens risks. Diversification is critical.

Dependence on coastal and marine tourism leaves them vulnerable to economic shocks. Diversification into emerging ocean sectors is key to building resilience.

A farmer harvests seaweed in Bali, Indonesia.

5th UN Ocean Forum: How trade and innovation can unlock the blue economy

Trade policies, social entrepreneurs and partnerships are crucial to harnessing the ocean’s vast potential for economic growth, environmental and human well-being.

A chart showing the share of different sectors in the global ocean economy

Fast-growing trillion-dollar ocean economy goes beyond fishing and shipping

The ocean drives industries from tourism and biotech to clean energy and pharmaceuticals. But climate change, pollution and underfunding put its future at risk.

Recent publications

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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

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The Least Developed Countries Report 2024

More publications

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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

Embedding the Bioeconomy into National Circular Economy Plans

12 May 2025 - 12 May 2025

FEA-USP, USP Campus, São Paulo, Brazil

2nd training workshop for communicators on circular economy

10 Mar 2025 - 14 Mar 2025

Stonetown, Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanzania

5th United Nations Ocean Forum on trade-related aspects of Sustainable Development Goal 14

3 Mar 2025 - 5 Mar 2025

Geneva, Switzerland

Marine-based Products and Services Expo

3 Mar 2025 - 5 Mar 2025

Geneva, Switzerland

Webinar on trade and biodiversity data to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

20 Feb 2025 - 20 Feb 2025

Ad hoc expert meeting on trade, investment, climate and sustainable development

31 Jan 2025 - 31 Jan 2025

Geneva, Switzerland

Documents and publications

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

[ADVANCE COPY]

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

English

UNCTAD’s climate and trade initiatives: Driving sustainable development

UNCTAD/DITC/TED/MISC/2024/1 - 10 Dec 2024

English

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

Technical and statistical report

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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