Trade Policy Support to Women through Climate Transitions

The Project at A Glance

International Economics is conducting a research study to help the UK’s Department for Business and Trade understand how UK trade policy can support women through climate transitions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The project is being implemented through the Work Opportunities for Women (WOW) Helpdesk, a research advisory and knowledge service launched in March 2018, to support FCDO and wider HMG Economic Development programmes and policies to improve outcomes on women’s economic empowerment (WEE).

What We Found

Trade and environment interact as intertwined systems influencing one another. Trade policies impact the environment through the movement of goods, affecting resource use, emissions, and biodiversity. Conversely, environmental regulations can shape trade by imposing restrictions on products with environmental implications. Balancing these regimes is crucial – trade rules must align with environmental goals to prevent ecological harm, while environmental policies should consider trade implications to ensure sustainable global commerce.

In this context, International Economics is conducting a study for the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, exploring ways in which UK trade policy can assist women during climate transitions in low- and middle-income countries. This may involve engaging in bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, collaborating with trade organizations, developing a comprehensive trade strategy, and more. The study will also focus on why supporting women is important as a driver of economic development and addressing climate change, and has potential secondary spillover benefits for the UK.

Our Strategy and Impact

International Economics will conduct research and analysis, drawing on guidance and documents from the Department of Business and Trade, as well as existing research from the past decade. The goal is to provide a rapid review of existing work in this area, and while the study primarily concerns the UK, the Team will also draw on international examples to inform the analysis. This report aims to build on existing WOW reports, such as those on trade preferences and women’s economic empowerment, as well as the Gender, Inclusion and Trade Thematic Brief. The findings of this research will be used to influence discussions on bilateral and multilateral policies, as well as to negotiate free trade agreements. Additionally, the information will be utilized to shape the UK’s stance in talks at the WTO Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender.

Our Core Solutions

The cross-cutting nature of trade is such that it requires a comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive framework. While well-designed trade policies are vital to delivering long-term benefits for economies, so is the need for effective implementation.

At International Economics, we support the public and private sectors in navigating the policy and negotiation landscape regarding international trade. This includes establishing robust monitoring and evaluation framework through sophisticated real-time dashboards and reporting systems to ensure the best outcomes. We provide advocacy services to empower delegations and negotiators to participate effectively in trade negotiations and deliberations and advocate for their countries’ interests and positions.