Time is running out to keep the climate goals set out in the Paris Agreement within reach. Wealthy countries have introduced new industrial and green trade policy measures, but there are concerns that some of these are having adverse effects – hitting countries that have contributed the least to the climate crisis the hardest.

This episode examines the concept of the ‘green squeeze’ – the notion that climate-related trade policies are negatively impacting low-income countries, unfairly putting the burden of adjustment on them. We ask what the ‘green squeeze’ means, both at a broader policy level and on the ground for producers having to adapt to these new trade measures.

What can be done to help exporting countries navigate such measures? Would the Villars Framework enable a more equitable way forward?

At a time when geopolitical tensions are running high and countries are fighting for leadership on green technology, guests discuss what action is needed to drive fair and sustainable progress on green trade.

Guests

• Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODI
• Faizel Ismail, Director of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town
• Jan Yves Remy, Director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services (the SRC), University of the West Indies
• Jodie Keane, Senior Research Fellow, ODI
  
  

Related resources

• New EU trade rules could put poor countries in a billion dollar ‘green squeeze’ (ODI blog)
  
  
• The ‘green squeeze’: an explainer (ODI paper)
  
  
• Navigating green trade measures: avoiding a “green squeeze” (ODI event video)
  
  
• Leading experts gather at ODI to reimagine global trade for a sustainable future (ODI statement)
  
  
• COP28 side event | Enabling a “green seize” of new trade opportunities for LDCs: learning from the Covid-19 response to address the climate emergency (ODI event video)
  
  
• Avoiding a “green squeeze” and advancing new trade opportunities for LDCs (ODI event video)
  
  
• Africa’s green trade opportunities: policy insights for aligning trade and climate action (ODI blog and event video)
  
  
• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms: clarity needed on support for adjustment (ODI blog)
  
  
• Air Miles 2.0? How to ensure Africa is not penalised by net-zero policy spillovers (ODI blog)