Scope and country engagement
The plan works with countries to leverage trade policy, finance, standards and technology to accelerate the implementation of national climate plans, or NDCs, and enable resilient economic transformation.
It supports countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, covering a diverse range of economies from small island developing states (SIDS) to major exporters.
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) works with national stakeholders to tailor approaches to country-specific priorities, capacities and development pathways, ensuring that trade contributes effectively to climate action and sustainable growth.
Objectives
The plan aims to make climate-compatible trade a cornerstone of decarbonization, focusing on four priority areas:
- Capacity building: Scaling up national training on trade and climate
- Technology access: Identifying priority technologies for NDC implementation and facilitating affordable access to them
- Standards and finance: Developing interoperable product carbon footprint methodologies and expanding sustainable trade finance alignment
- International cooperation: Advancing global cooperation on climate–trade principles and standards
Through the integrated approach, trade and climate act as mutually reinforcing drivers of progress towards the Paris Agreement and the outcomes of the Global Stocktake.
Expected outcomes
For developing economies, the plan provides a pathway to:
- Expand market access in sustainable and low-carbon sectors
- Enhance competitiveness in green value chains
- Leverage trade as a catalyst for sustainable industrialization
- Strengthen economic resilience and low-carbon economic diversification
Mandate and alignment
The plan is aligned with UNCTAD’s mandates on trade and climate, including the Geneva Consensus (paragraphs 80.50, 80.51, 80.54 and 80.55). It also contributes to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Join the Plan
The plan is open to UN member states, UN agencies, research institutions, private sector stakeholders and civil society organizations.
Interested entities are invited to join by committing to:
- Support the objectives of the plan
- Contribute to its implementation
- Mobilize expertise, partnerships and resources
Partnerships
The Plan is implemented in collaboration with a broad coalition of partners, including:
- Forum on Trade, Environment and the SDGs (TESS)
- International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
- International Trade Centre (ITC)
- Net‑Zero Export Credit Agency Alliance (NZECA)
- ResponsibleSteel
- United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI)
- World Bank Group (WBG)
- World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
- World Economic Forum (WEF)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
These partnerships strengthen coordination, resource mobilization and policy coherence across the trade-climate nexus.
Contact
UNCTAD
Chantal Line Carpentier
Head, Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities
Claudia Contreras
Economic Affairs Officer, Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities
Climate High-level Champions
Nathan Cooper
News
Events & meetings
27 April – 8 June 2026
eLearning course: Harnessing trade to advance national climate and development goals – 2nd edition
Online
10 – 12 February 2026
Senegal: Technical consultations on the use of trade as a tool for climate action
Diamnadio, Senegal
Documents
10 Nov 2025
Leveraging foreign direct investment to advance national climate plans
Guide for policymakers
