Trade
Trade matters. It has the potential to advance sustainable, low-carbon development. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement climate commitments present fundamental challenges to trade policy; so too do growing protectionism and the fraying of multilateralism.
IISD has been working on international trade for over two decades. Our work mirrors the scientific, economic, fiscal, legal and environmental aspects of trade. IISD focuses on reforms to the World Trade Organization and other trade agreements (including the North American Free Trade Agreement); options for new industrial policies functioning within a rules-based system; and whether trade can accelerate renewable energy and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies. IISD examines trade-related issues ranging from global food security and other commitments set out in the SDGs, to innovative financing for sustainable infrastructure, carbon-border adjustment measures and the role of big data.
IISD works with developing countries and others on international investment treaties. It also addresses trade issues through its flagship Investment Treaty News, Global Subsidies Initiative and the SDG Knowledge Hub.
- Report
Trade in Transforming Our World: Options for follow-up and review of the trade-related elements of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
This paper draws on the experience of IISD and ICTSD in trade, sustainable development, and international governance to provide an overview of how and where the trade elements of the 2030 Agenda might best be reviewed.
Read More - Commentary
The Trans-Pacific Partnership, Part I: A deal too far
The release of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement last fall has unleashed a heated debate over its costs and benefits.
Read More - Blog
A New Year of Subsidy Reform
2016 begins with two historic global achievements in place to reform subsidies that harm the poor and damage the environment.
Read More - Commentary
TTIP and Climate Change: Low economic benefits, real climate risks
The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)—a trade and investment agreement under negotiation between the European Union and United States—can increase emissions and restrict the ability of nations to adequately mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Read More - Commentary
Chapter: Trade and Sustainable Development from Redesigning Canadian Trade Policies for New Global Realities
Sustainable development is one of the most difficult policy challenges of our time. It is also closely linked to the global trading system. In this chapter from IRPP's Redesigning Canadian Trade Policies for New Global Realities, IISD President Scott Vaughan describes how environmental concerns have become part of international trade policy over the past two decades, and discusses some of the implications for Canada.
Read More - Paper
Trade and Sustainable Development: Options for follow-up and review of the trade-related elements of the Post-2015 Agenda and Financing for Development
Trade is reflected throughout the draft Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of June 2015 and the May 2015 draft outcome of the third international Financing for Development (FfD) conference. The first aim of this paper is to map where trade-related elements are found in the SDGs and FfD.
Read More - Book
Trade and Green Economy: A handbook (Third Edition)
This joint effort by the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the United Nations Environment Programme is aimed mainly at those with some knowledge about trade, environment or development, but who are not experts on the intersection of the three.
Read More - Paper
Quantifying the Mega-regional Trade Agreements: A review of Models
Major developments in trade policy are currently taking place in the mega-regional trade agreements, in particular in the Trans-Pacific Partnership...
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The State of Play in Vattenfall v. Germany II: Leaving the German public in the dark
Two years after Vattenfall brought Germany to international arbitration for a second time (Vattenfall II), the German public is still left out in the dark. This briefing note reviews the background to the case on Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power and outlines its current state of play.
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The Stakes Are High: A review of the financial costs of investment treaty arbitration
The amounts at stake in investment treaty arbitration are very often high. The average claim in investor–state arbitrations based on international...
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