UK trade minister joins call for trade cooperation on climate goals
Lord Sarwar, the UK's Minister for Trade, has co-signed a joint article by nine trade ministers from the Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate, published on 13 November 2026 as governments gather for COP31 in Antalya.
The ministers argue that trade must be part of the solution if climate ambition is to turn into change in the real economy. They say that, done well, trade can help countries decarbonise while boosting competitiveness, investment and innovation, and building more resilient and diversified economies.
Three areas for action
- Cooperation on trade-related climate measures. As more governments look at such measures to meet net-zero commitments, the ministers say cooperation is needed to reduce regulatory fragmentation and costs and to address concerns over competitiveness and fairness. They propose practical work in the WTO and other international processes on transparency, coherence and interoperability.
- Sector-focused trade partnerships. The ministers point to clean power, green hydrogen, sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient food systems. They say cooperation can speed up the development and uptake of climate technologies, goods and services, mobilise investment, diversify supply chains and create openings for businesses and workers.
- Joined-up government. They call for an end to silos between trade, climate, industrial policy and finance, and a whole-of-government approach at home.
Geopolitics and trade
The authors acknowledge a difficult moment for global trade, citing geopolitical uncertainty, growing fragmentation and concerns over economic security. They say this should not be an excuse for inaction and call for pragmatic cooperation that deals with current problems while building longer-term solutions.
They also say that creating conditions for businesses to invest, innovate and compete in growing markets for low-carbon technologies is part of reaching net zero.
Who signed
Alongside Lord Sarwar, the signatories are ministers or officials from Barbados, the European Union, The Gambia, Iceland, South Korea, Norway, Singapore and Kenya. The ministers say the coalition brings together economies from all regions and at different levels of development. They add that they will keep working with counterparts over the year ahead.
The article states that it is without prejudice to the views of other coalition members. It sets out no new UK policy or commitments.
Source: Climate Home · Image: Pixabay