Trade

International trade and trade policy have a significant impact on the way we live, from the costs of the goods and services we buy to the performance of the various economic sectors that we either work in or rely on. While trade has the potential to advance sustainable, low-carbon development, it can also be a hindrance to that objective, depending on how trade policy is designed and implemented. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement climate commitments present fundamental challenges to trade policy; so too does the fraying of multilateralism.

IISD has been working on international trade for over two decades, analyzing the issue from multiple perspectives: scientific, economic, fiscal, legal, social, and environmental.

At the intergovernmental level, IISD has a long history of working on reforms to the World Trade Organization’s rules and members’ ability to engage in those processes. IISD has also built an extensive body of work on regional and plurilateral trade agreements, as well as the interlinkages between multilateral environmental agreements and the trading system.

At the sectoral level, we have explored options for new industrial policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change and accelerate the energy transition, as well as policies to improve food security and the reform of harmful fisheries subsidies. Our work also unpacks the relationship between voluntary sustainability standards and trade, as well as the role of trade in contributing to the circular economy.

IISD's work consists of robust research and policy analysis, along with regular engagement with the varied stakeholder communities involved in and affected by trade and trade policy. A core part of this engagement involves our work to promote transparency and support informed trade conversations.

We feature in-depth commentary and analysis in Investment Treaty News, the Global Subsidies Initiative, the SDG Knowledge Hub, and the Trade and Sustainability Review. We hold webinars on issues at the heart of the trade and sustainability nexus.

Our work on trade issues is made possible through the generous support of our funders. These include:

The Pew Charitable Trusts
The Laudes Foundation
The European Climate Foundation
Climateworks
UK aid from the UK government, including its Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund (TAF2+)
Germany's Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ)
Global Affairs Canada
Sweden's International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT)
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

Areas of focus

Agricultural Trade Policy

IISD’s work on trade in food and farm goods seeks to shape trade policy to better support sustainable development outcomes, including food security and sustainable agriculture.

Fisheries Subsidies

IISD is focused on supporting the implementation of the 2022 Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and ongoing negotiations at the World Trade Organization negotiations towards additional rules to curb harmful fisheries subsidies.

Climate Change, the Natural Environment, and the Green Transition

IISD pioneers change at the nexus of trade, climate change and the environment, addressing pressing issues like plastic pollution, green market growth, industrial decarbonization and resilience. Our research informs better policies for a sustainable future.

Investment Facilitation

IISD provides objective and impartial support to developing country and least developed country negotiators to improve their engagement in the WTO negotiations on Investment Facilitation for Development

E-commerce

IISD works to strengthen the technical knowledge and capacity of developing country and least developed country negotiators to improve their engagement in the WTO negotiations on E-commerce.

Our work

Understanding Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs)

As more countries consider adopting Border Carbon Adjustments, their design will determine their impact. In this video, IISD expert Aaron Cosbey explores these issues, highlighting the need for international cooperation.

Addressing Carbon Leakage: A toolkit

As countries adopt ambitious climate policies, this toolkit examines strategies to prevent carbon leakage—when production and emissions shift to nations with weaker climate policies—and explores the trade-offs of each approach.

Deep Dive

December 5, 2024

Why Trade Matters in the Plastic–Pollution Treaty Negotiations

The global push to end plastic pollution by 2040 highlights the critical intersection of trade and environmental action, with upcoming INC-5 negotiations focusing on reducing plastic production, consumption, and waste within a fair and effective international framework.

Explainer

November 22, 2024

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COP 29 | Who’s Afraid of Carbon Leakage?

This COP 29 side event addressed the implications of carbon leakage and border carbon adjustments (BCAs) for balancing climate action and economic competitiveness.

Conference

November 14, 2024

Accelerating Africa’s Action for Sustainable Fisheries Management

This webinar aimed to support African countries understand the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, ratification steps, and available implementation support.

Webinar

November 11, 2024