Trade and environment

Critical minerals – new partnerships needed to build fair value chains

UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General outlined a strategy for partnerships that help developing countries expand domestic refining and processing and better connect mining to other economic sectors.

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A startup in Thika, Kenya, works to turn agricultural residues, such as pineapple leaf fibres, into an eco-friendly alternative to plastics.

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Cover for Fostering BRICS leadership on climate ambition amid trade and climate tensions

Fostering BRICS leadership on climate ambition amid trade and climate tensions

Cover for Global Trade Update (November 2025): Trade – a catalyst for achieving the Paris Agreement

Global Trade Update (November 2025): Trade – a catalyst for achieving the Paris Agreement

Cover for Plastic substitution in developing countries: Sectoral opportunities and challenges

Plastic substitution in developing countries: Sectoral opportunities and challenges

Cover for Trade policies to advance national climate plans

Trade policies to advance national climate plans

Cover for Global Trade Update (August 2025): Mobilising trade to curb plastic pollution

Global Trade Update (August 2025): Mobilising trade to curb plastic pollution

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Trade can drive climate action

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Global BioTrade Facilitation Programme: Linking trade, biodiversity and sustainable development

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The Digital Economy Report 2024: Shaping an environmentally sustainable and inclusive digital future

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The role of nuclear energy in a sustainable future

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Fast fashion’s hidden cost: Who really pays the price?

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Deep sea mining: Necessary innovation or environmental risk?

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Unlocking hemp's potential: A path to sustainable growth and development

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United Nations Global Seaweed Initiative (UNGSI)

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Secretary-General Statements

11 June 2025

United Nations Ocean Conference 2025

12 May 2025

Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy, 8th session

3 March 2025

5th United Nations Ocean Forum on trade-related aspects of Sustainable Development Goal 14

10 July 2024

Launch of the Digital Economy Report 2024

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07 Nov 2025

Fostering BRICS leadership on climate ambition amid trade and climate tensions

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06 Nov 2025

Global Trade Update (November 2025): Trade – a catalyst for achieving the Paris Agreement

English

02 Oct 2025

Trade policies to advance national climate plans

English

31 Jul 2025

A review of parameters and requirements for an effective consumer label on plastics and plastics alternatives

English

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Trade and environment We work with governments to build green, blue and circular economies and ensure trade is part of the solution to the triple planetary crisis: climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

Trade and environment

Critical minerals – new partnerships needed to build fair value chains

UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General outlined a strategy for partnerships that help developing countries expand domestic refining and processing and better connect mining to other economic sectors.

More news

Africa: Rethinking plastics to unlock industrial potential

Unlocking value: Helping African economies diversify beyond raw minerals

New course helping countries harness trade for climate action

GDP and CO2 emissions: Record temperatures heighten urgency to break the link

Trade in renewable energy powers ahead, but barriers slow transition

Latest publications

Fostering BRICS leadership on climate ambition amid trade and climate tensions

Global Trade Update (November 2025): Trade – a catalyst for achieving the Paris Agreement

Plastic substitution in developing countries: Sectoral opportunities and challenges

Trade policies to advance national climate plans

Global Trade Update (August 2025): Mobilising trade to curb plastic pollution

Videos and podcasts

Trade can drive climate action

Global BioTrade Facilitation Programme: Linking trade, biodiversity and sustainable development

The Digital Economy Report 2024: Shaping an environmentally sustainable and inclusive digital future

The role of nuclear energy in a sustainable future

Fast fashion’s hidden cost: Who really pays the price?

Deep sea mining: Necessary innovation or environmental risk?

Unlocking hemp's potential: A path to sustainable growth and development

Related

Areas of work

Special initiative

Projects

Secretary-General Statements

United Nations Ocean Conference 2025

Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-commerce and the Digital Economy, 8th session

5th United Nations Ocean Forum on trade-related aspects of Sustainable Development Goal 14

Launch of the Digital Economy Report 2024

Meetings

Documents

Fostering BRICS leadership on climate ambition amid trade and climate tensions

Global Trade Update (November 2025): Trade – a catalyst for achieving the Paris Agreement

Trade policies to advance national climate plans

A review of parameters and requirements for an effective consumer label on plastics and plastics alternatives

Contact

Trade and environment

We work with governments to build green, blue and circular economies and ensure trade is part of the solution to the triple planetary crisis: climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.