Post Bali: A Dialogue on Trade, Climate Change and Development

Geneva, 11 February 2008

The objective of this dialogue was to explore underlying issues at the interface of trade and climate change and their likely impact on development.

During the December 2007 UN climate change negotiations in Bali, the Indonesian Government hosted an "Informal Trade Ministers Dialogue on Climate Change Issues" to discuss how international trade can support climate change objectives. The meeting represented the first time that trade ministers have met informally to discuss climate change issues. The ministers noted the importance of concerted multilateral efforts to address climate change and recognized the importance of aligning environment objectives with global trade objectives. They recommended that more comprehensive study be undertaken to obtain better empirical evidence on the linkages and interface between international trade, development and climate change in order to enhance public understanding and enable governments to take appropriate action.

The February 2008 dialogue furthered these discussions by providing a platform for governments and experts to examine the relationship between trade, climate change, and development, and to identify emerging issues and policy implications.

Contact: benjamin.simmons@unep.ch