See afterwards from COP28: EU Green Deal and engaging with EU's global trading partners

National Board of Trade Sweden arranged a seminar during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP 28. The seminar discussed the EU Green Deal and the impact on EU trade relations with the rest of the world. Special focus was on how exporters in low- and middle-income countries may be affected by the EU's climate-related Green Deal legislation.

As part of the EU Green Deal package, the European Commission has put forward a number of legislative proposals that should enable the EU to achieve the greenhouse gas ambitions under the Paris Agreement. Some of the proposals have already been implemented.

See afterwards

Register and watch the seminar on Business Sweden's website.

Several of these climate policies are directly related to international trade and how the EU does business with our partners outside of the EU. For instance, the regulation on deforestation-free products requires importers of several products to provide evidence that the production of these products did not contribute to deforestation.

In similar fashion, imports of certain carbon-intensive products will now face an additional levy at the border based on the embedded emissions in production (CBAM). These, and several other proposals, could potentially make it harder for producers in low- and middle-income countries to sell their products on the EU market. What issues does this raise, and what can we do to ensure that established – and new – partnerships with our global trading partners remain resilient even in light of this new sustainability package?

Speakers

  • Chantal Line Carpentier, Head of Trade, Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainable Development at UNCTAD
  • Maria Selin, Head of Regional Development Cooperation MENA at Sida
  • Jesper Kansbod, Head of Governmental Relations at SSAB
  • Erik Merkus, Sustainable Trade Policy Adviser at National Board of Trade Sweden
  • Robert Watt, Engagement Director at Stockholm Environment Institute (moderator)

About COP28

COP28 stands for the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It takes place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 30 November to 12 December.

More about COP28