Trade and environment | UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)15

We work with governments to build green and blue economies and ensure trade is part of the solution to the climate crisis.

Green export strategies

Climate Change

Circular economy

Oceans Economy and Fisheries

BioTrade

News

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UN Trade and Development chief urges stronger ocean governance and investment at UN Ocean Conference

Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan underscored the ocean's central role in global trade, economic development, food security and climate regulation.

Ocean for sustainable development: What needs to happen next

The 2025 UN Ocean Conference offers a pivotal chance to shore up a more sustainable blue economy for ocean health and shared prosperity.

A rising tide, but growing risks: Ocean economy faces pressure and fragmentation

From food and energy to transport and innovation, the $2.2 trillion ocean economy anchors global prosperity. But climate shocks, policy fragmentation and shifting trade dynamics threaten its future.

Recent publications

SDG Pulse 2025

Global Trade Update (June 2025): Sustainable ocean economy

Global Trade Update (May 2025): Focus on critical minerals – copper in the new green and digital economy

Leaving the shore: Marine-based substitutes and alternatives to plastics

Fostering environmentally sustainable electronic commerce

A deep dive into ocean-related measures in the nationally determined contributions of small island developing States

More publications

Featured event

UN Trade and Development at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3)

7 - 13 June 2025

Featured Podcast

Deep sea mining: Necessary innovation or environmental risk?

As the race for critical minerals heats up, deep sea mining is being hailed by some as a path to a greener future – and condemned by others as a major threat to marine life.

View all podcasts

Projects

Greening the AfCFTA : Building climate-resilient green value chains across the Africa

National Green Export Reviews

Global BioTrade Facilitation Programme

Oceans Economy and Trade Strategies

Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Green Trade Project

Trade and Agricultural Policies to Support Small-scale Farmers and Enhance Food Security

Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP)

Oceans Economy and Blue BioTrade in the Caribbean region

Fostering Green Exports through Voluntary Sustainability Standards in Developing Countries

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Events and meetings

Sixth meeting of the informal Working Group on trade and biodiversity statistics

Side event 4 at INC 5.2 – Trade at the core of the treaty: Data, investment, services and consumer information

Geneva, Switzerland

Side event 3 at INC 5.2 – Navigating the materials spectrum: A criteria-based approach to product design and trade

Geneva, Switzerland

Side event 2 at INC 5.2 – Building regional pillars for a plastics treaty

Geneva, Switzerland

Side event 1 at INC 5.2 – West African voices in plastics controls and innovative recycling

Geneva, Switzerland

Side event at the HLPF 2025: Supporting seaweeds and their myriad contributions to advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and beyond

New York, United States of America

Documents and publications

Global Trade Update (June 2025): Sustainable ocean economy

A key and fast-growing sector at risk

UNCTAD/DITC/INF/2025/4 - 04 Jun 2025

English

Global Trade Update (May 2025)

Focus on critical minerals: Copper in the new green and digital economy

UNCTAD/DITC/INF/2025/3 - 01 May 2025

English

Leaving the shore: Marine-based substitutes and alternatives to plastics

UNCTAD/TCS/DITC/INF/2025/4 - 04 Mar 2025

English

A deep dive into ocean-related measures in the nationally determined contributions of small island developing States

UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2024/2 - 02 Dec 2024

English

Contact

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