Countries are increasingly relying on trade-related environmental policies, often with new requirements to measure, report and verify the environmental footprint of products at the border. As these policies might diverge across countries, concerns over their economic implications and global effectiveness loom in the face of increasing compliance and trade costs for businesses. By supporting economic growth, development and welfare, trade can increase governments’ capacity to manage environmental challenges more effectively. A sound trading system can also help countries weather climate-related and other environmental disruptions. The OECD provides a platform for policymakers to discuss how to maximise the benefits of trade policies while minimising their costs.
Trade and environmental sustainability
Both trade and environment policy makers recognise the importance of a rules-based multilateral trading system as part of the solution to the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. To support these international discussions, the OECD provides evidence-based analysis on how trade and environment policies can be mutually supportive.