London, UK - As the world reflects on the outcomes of COP29 and the urgent need for accelerated climate action, the world’s first-ever Citizens’ Assembly on Trade and Climate has issued a compelling call for the UK government to lead by example, using trade policy as a tool to combat the climate crisis. Convened by the Trade Justice Movement, Queen Mary University of London, and MutualGain, the Assembly marks a groundbreaking moment in public engagement on climate and trade policy.
“We […] believe that in the face of an existential climate crisis, it is imperative that the UK harness all available trade policy tools to urgently mitigate its environmental impact and promote sustainable development.
“The UK Government must show world leadership by collaborating with trade partners to develop and apply an approach to policy that is meaningful, balanced, and viable.
“...We believe that trade policy offers a practical solution to address the climate crisis.”
This urgent appeal comes as the global community acknowledges that existing measures to tackle climate change remain insufficient. The UK’s Climate Change Committee has described the nation’s progress as “worryingly slow,” a sentiment echoed by the Assembly participants who stressed the need for decisive and immediate action.
The findings of the Citizens’ Assembly, including a detailed series of recommendations endorsed by at least 80% of participants, will be launched at UK Parliament on Tuesday, 3 December 2024.
The Citizens’ Assembly engaged 59 UK residents, selected to reflect the nation’s diverse demographics, in 35 hours of discussions and evidence-based learning sessions. Participants overcame initial scepticism about the complexity of the topics, ultimately producing actionable solutions.
“This initiative proves that ordinary citizens, when given clear information and adequate time, can meaningfully engage with complex policy issues like trade and climate,” said Tom Wills, Director of the Trade Justice Movement. “This has been a hugely valuable process with a clear message to ministers: citizens expect the government to be doing more to align trade and climate policy.”
“The Citizens’ Assembly on Trade and Climate has highlighted a crucial but often overlooked fact: trade policy can and must be a cornerstone of the UK’s strategy to combat the climate crisis. The Assembly’s recommendations provide a clear roadmap for policymakers, and the message is clear—the UK public expects decisive action to align trade with climate priorities,” said Liam Campling, Professor of International Business and Development at Queen Mary University of London.