This policy paper argues that the prospect of a new “sustainability agenda” at the World Trade Organization presents new opportunities for members of CARICOM. It
proposes key elements for a trade-related climate change agenda for CARICOM countries at the WTO. It also reflects on the trade-related climate priorities of CARICOM in regional, bilateral, and multilateral trade negotiations, with a focus on how these priorities might be best formulated in the context of ongoing WTO negotiations and processes. The author then makes recommendations on how the emerging WTO sustainability agenda can be used to promote CARICOM’s trade-related climate interests.

The publication is part of a series of policy papers commissioned by TESS with partners on Developing country perspectives on trade, climate change, and sustainable development, which includes papers on Africa, the Caribbean, South America, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Each paper has been prepared by experts and institutions from the region and seeks to highlight regional and developing country perspectives and priorities on the role of international trade cooperation in supporting climate mitigation and adaptation and climate-resilient sustainable development.

While many discussions are now taking place on trade and climate change at the WTO and in a range of other international settings, most are dominated by concerns, policies, and proposals from more advanced economies. In an effort to spur a more inclusive dialogue, the series supports the bottom-up identification and formulation of developing country perspectives and priorities on trade and climate change adaptation and mitigation including how to advance them at the regional and multilateral levels.

Recommended citation: Remy, Jan Yves. (2023). Trade-related climate priorities for CARICOM at the World Trade Organization. Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs (TESS) and Shridath Ramphal Centre (SRC).