As climate action accelerates, trade policy is increasingly shaping how countries pursue decarbonization while supporting development and human rights. Recent legal developments and policy initiatives have clarified states’ responsibilities and opened new space for integrating climate, trade, and sustainability objectives. 

This session will examine how trade rules and legal tools can support a fair and inclusive transition to net zero. Drawing on recent foresight and legal research on the future of trade in a net-zero world, speakers will discuss practical policy options that governments can use to advance climate goals while respecting different national circumstances. 

Bringing together legal experts and policymakers, the discussion will explore how trade governance can move from managing tensions to enabling cooperation—helping ensure that the path to net zero is both effective and equitable.