Climate Change, the Natural Environment, and the Green Transition
IISD is driving change at the intersection of trade, climate change, and the natural environment. From tackling urgent challenges like climate resilience or plastic pollution to fostering green market growth and ramping up industrial decarbonization efforts, our research informs better policies for a sustainable future.
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
Analysis
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Is the World Trade Organization Up to the Challenge of Prioritizing the Environment at MC13?
Ieva Baršauskaitė tackles the complexities of revitalizing trade and environment discussions at the WTO to discern whether environmental issues will be a priority in the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference.
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Inside MC13: What are trade ministers saying about the environment?
IISD expert Ieva Baršauskaitė explains the environment and climate issues at the top of agenda for discussions at the World Trade Organization's Thirteenth Ministerial Conference (WTO) (MC13).
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Source to Sea: Integrating the water agenda in 2023
2023 could prove to be a definitive year for facilitating an integrative perspective on water issues, from fresh water to the marine environment.
Research and publications
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Border Carbon Adjustments: Pivotal design choices for policy-makers
This policy brief covers the pivotal choices in the design of border carbon adjustments, aiming to provide useful insights to policy-makers and set the ground for the broader discussions about the best practices.
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Border Carbon Adjustments: Priorities for international cooperation
This IISD policy brief looks into border carbon adjustment design elements that are priorities for international cooperation, as well as the possible venues, formats, and shapes that such a discussion might take.
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Trade-Related Policy Measures to Reduce Plastic Pollution: Building on the state of play
This report looks at the trade-related plastic pollution-reduction measures notified by World Trade Organization (WTO) members in order to provide inspiration for further actions and international cooperation options.
Recent events
Trade Policy in Support of Climate Change Adaptation and Resilient Development
This T+S Hub session explored how trade and policy can aid climate change adaptation in developing countries, featuring insights from experts and policymakers.
A Brave New World of Border Carbon Adjustments
This T+S Hub session gathered experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and implications of BCAs in global decarbonization efforts, focusing on priorities for international cooperation.
Climate Security and Trade in Times of Multiple Crises
IISD is co-organizing a session with Mistra as part of the Think2030 Dialogue Sweden 2023, where experts will explore regulatory frameworks that have a balance between protecting the environment, stimulating a sustainable transition of industries, and safeguarding global relationships and supply chains.
Project team
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Nathalie Bernasconi-Osterwalder
Vice-President, Global Strategies and Managing Director, Europe
![Alice-Tipping-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/Alice-Tipping-2019.jpg?h=a33fd4e3&itok=Lw2NW54G)
Alice Tipping
Director, Trade and Sustainable Development
![Ieva Barsauskaite](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-02/ieva-barsauskaite-2021.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=eVfzAibK)
Ieva Baršauskaitė
Lead, Trade and the Green Transition
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Antoine Bonnet
Policy Advisor
![Aaron Cosbey](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-12/aaron-cosbey-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=zmT6-638)
Aaron Cosbey
Senior Associate
![Headshot of Darcie Doan](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-01/darcie-doan-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=O_2vS5K8)
Darcie Doan
Senior Specialist, Trade and Climate
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Tristan Irschlinger
Senior Policy Advisor, Fisheries Subsidies
![rashmi-jose-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/rashmi-jose-2019.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=sUxo4NPw)
Rashmi Jose
Senior Policy Advisor
![Close up picture of Rashid Kaukab](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-08/rashid-kaukab-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=m740nbds)
Rashid S. Kaukab
Senior Specialist, Trade and Sustainable Development
![Florencia Sarmiento, IISD Policy Analyst](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-04/florencia-sarmiento-2022a.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=C5TMoHkl)
Florencia Sarmiento
Policy Advisor
![Headshot of Maria Barral](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-06/maria-barral-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=DMy8amo-)
Maria Barral
Communications Officer
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