Climate Change, the Natural Environment, and the Green Transition

In a world grappling with the urgency of meeting the 1.5°C Paris targets and combatting environmental crises, the international trade community cannot afford to be passive. Better-designed policies and closer integration of trade and environmental agendas can help mitigate climate change, bolster resilience, and foster the growth of a greener global market.

At IISD, we have a longstanding commitment to bridging the gap between trade policy and environmental imperatives. Our research delves into the role of trade policy and its instruments to deliver on broader sustainability goals like the energy transition and climate-resilient development. From driving decarbonization in industrial sectors to promoting circularity and sustainable production, our work aims to forge pathways toward a greener, more resilient future.
 

Current Focus Areas:

• Trade and decarbonization

As governments worldwide intensify efforts to address industrial decarbonization, we provide expert insights and technical assistance in areas such as border carbon adjustments (BCAs), green industrial policy, and fossil fuel subsidy reform at the World Trade Organization. Our longstanding engagement in these domains aims to inform policy discussions, foster international cooperation, and drive effective action toward a sustainable future.

• Climate resilience

Climate resilience is a pressing challenge for developing countries that have often contributed very little to the causes of such drastic changes. IISD aids governments by providing vital research and technical assistance that bridges trade policy and resilience efforts, enabling more integrated decision-making to address this long-overlooked intersection.

• Plastics

Governments globally are combating plastic pollution by curbing the use of plastics and promoting circularity. Yet, fragmented efforts fall short of effective action. IISD aids governments with evidence-based support, evaluating the impact of their plastic policies through an international trade lens and supporting those thinking of effective paths to global cooperation.