8 September 2015: A policy brief by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on the relationship between climate change and trade policies draws attention to changes in the policy landscape resulting from the adoption of the UN post-2015 development agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a global climate change agreement. The brief calls for this relationship to support the achievement of sustainable development and poverty eradication.

The policy brief, titled ‘Trade and Climate Change Policy Beyond 2015,’ highlights a two-way relationship: trade policies can impact mitigation efforts by countries; and climate change policies can influence trade among countries. It notes that 2015 creates a unique opportunity “for the international community to craft a global agenda for sustainable development that is [people-centered], economically and environmentally sustainable, climate change resilient and development-oriented.”

Such an agenda should respond to climate change without undermining economic growth and social development, and generate an economic transformation towards “low-carbon, resource-efficient and socially inclusive development.” The brief notes that reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions effectively requires “a mix of policies, regulations and institutions that progressively green a nation’s productive activities.” It also notes that “international trade can play an important role in leveraging [climate change mitigation policy-related] co-benefits.”

UNCTAD suggests it can support the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its bodies in addressing economic and trade issues arising from the 2015 climate agreement. In developing countries, UNCTAD suggests it can assist in greening of productive capacities and expanding trade in green goods and services. [UNCTAD Publication Webpage] [Publication: Trade and Climate Change Policy Beyond 2015]