The EU is the world's largest trading bloc. It provides the biggest export market for about 80 countries, and the EU Member States account for 16% of global imports and exports. Consequently, the EU has a considerable impact on third countries through trade, including the way in which international trade is conducted and how environmental and wider sustainability-related aspects are addressed.

The EU sees trade as a key vehicle for supporting developing countries in their efforts to improve their socio-economic status. However, trade has a flip side: the demand for goods by importing countries – such as the EU Member States – can lead to an unsustainable use of natural resources, and increased pollution and carbon emissions, as well as ecosystem degradation in exporting countries. There are also issues linked with the sustainability of exports from the EU, such as, the export of low-quality waste for recycling to third countries. The existing evidence demonstrates that a net positive contribution of the EU trade to sustainable development beyond economic interests and including environmental and social aspects – is far from being achieved.

Building on the review of the existing level of environmental integration in the EU trade policy regime, the IEEP policy paper explores what a truly green EU trade policy under the EU Green Deal should look like. It is an invitation to an informed and evidence-based dialogue. The event will be an opportunity for stakeholders in the trade area to discuss the key findings of the paper and to elaborate on ways forward together with other experts in the field.

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