28 October 2025
Bridging Climate Action and Trade Through Multilateralism Based on the Values and Principles of the United Nations
Executive Summary
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) envisions that climate objectives should be attained though open markets. This mandate has come under stress in recent years as parties to the convention adopt various mitigation actions to meet their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Concerns have been raised that unilateral trade-related climate measures could become an obstacle to international trade and hamper economic growth and development. Efforts to harness the complementarities between trade and climate protection are a test in global economic governance. This policy report provides two clusters of ideas – the notion of pre-emptive cooperation and a menu of good practices – to aid efforts to address the climate exigency while upholding the supportive and open international economic system.
Executive Summary
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) envisions that climate objectives should be attained though open markets. This mandate has come under stress in recent years as parties to the convention adopt various mitigation actions to meet their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). Concerns have been raised that unilateral trade-related climate measures could become an obstacle to international trade and hamper economic growth and development. Efforts to harness the complementarities between trade and climate protection are a test in global economic governance. This policy report provides two clusters of ideas – the notion of pre-emptive cooperation and a menu of good practices – to aid efforts to address the climate exigency while upholding the supportive and open international economic system.
