Executive summary

Climate change represents a severe, pervasive and potentially irreversible threat to people, ecosystems, public health, infrastructure and the global economy. Left unabated, it could undo much of the progress made over recent decades in development, poverty reduction and prosperity creation. Developing countries – in particular small-island developing states and least-developed countries (LDCs) – are likely to suffer the most, due to their greater exposure and vulnerability to climate risks and natural disasters, and their more limited capacity to adapt to climate change. Leveraging trade to tackle climate change presents several development and growth opportunities and will require significant policy actions to advance a just transition towards a low-carbon, inclusive and resilient future.