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Introduce learners to pressing sustainable trade law and governance challenges.Explore international trade rules and their implications for law and policy.Identify and analyse sustainable development-related innovations in multilateral, regional and bilateral trade regimes.Prepare learners to strengthen the sustainability contributions of trade rules through assessment, negotiation, implementation and dispute settlement.Inspire learners to advance their global careers in sustainability and justice.
Trade agreements can "encourage economic growth that undermines social protections [and] worsens conditions for the rural and urban poor." As noted by UNCTAD and others, trade agreements may "leave the poorest and most vulnerable groups worse off."The uncertainties surrounding impacts can generate instability for governments, the private sector and others engaged in trade.Potential adverse impacts of trade agreements on the environmentTrade agreements could encourage economic growth that "degrades biological diversity, increases greenhouse gas emissions, augments soil erosion and increases unsafe exposure to toxic pollutants."New trade rules have the potential to pose difficulties for multilateral environment agreements (MEA) implementation, for protection of the environment beyond national jurisdiction, for adoption of regulations to protect domestic environments and for efforts to improve environmental standards. UNEP links particular environmental problems to growth in volume of certain trade or investment flows.
Agenda 21, adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, called for the promotion of sustainable development through trade, noting that an "open, equitable, secure, non-discriminatory and predictable multilateral trading system that is consistent with the goals of sustainable development and leads to the optimal distribution of global production in accordance with comparative advantage is of benefit to all trading partners." It also noted that "improved market access for developing countries' exports in conjunction with sound macroeconomic and environmental policies would have a positive environmental impact and therefore make an important contribution towards sustainable development."The Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, adopted at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, recognized the "major role that trade can play in achieving sustainable development and in eradicating poverty" and called for "encourag[ing] efforts to promote cooperation on trade, environment and development . . . between the secretariats of WTO, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNEP, and other relevant international environmental and development and regional organizations."The preamble of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization recognized sustainable development as
a fundamental objective. Parties to the Agreement recognized that their "that their relations in the field of trade and
economic endeavour should be conducted with a view to raising standards of living, ensuring full employment and a large and steadily growing volume of real income and effective demand, and expanding the production of and trade in goods and services, while allowing for the optimal use of the world’s resources in accordance with the objective of sustainable development, seeking both to protect and preserve the environment and to enhance the means for doing so in a manner consistent with theirrespective needs and concerns at different levels of economic development."
17 Goals, building on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the 1992-2012 Agenda169 Targets, measurable with indicatorsThe SDGs provide a common framework to facilitate cooperation and action.For all countries, developed or developing, they offer a succinct set of public policy priorities and time-bound targets.Under the 2030 Agenda, UN Member States committed to promote “meaningful trade liberalization" and expressed the importance of "providing trade-related capacity-building for developing countries . . . including for the promotion of regional economic integration and interconnectivity."Sources: UNCTAD, Trade and the Sustainable Development
Goals, https://unctad.org/topic/trade-analysis/trade-and-SDGs; UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development, The 17 Goals, https://sdgs.un.org/goals
Global Economic Challenges: Inequality, poverty, lack of economic opportunity, rules to govern trade & investment flowsGlobal Social Challenges: Human rights violations, cultural survival, exclusion of women, marginalisationGlobal Environmental Challenges: Climate change, biodiversity loss, land & natural resources degradation, rising pollution, plastic gyres in oceans & eutrophication
[Name of Person], LLB (Sciences Po), MJur (Oxon), is a Franco-British legal specialist in trade, investment law and sustainability. Currently a law lecturer at University College London (UCL), she assisted the European Union in several successful trade impact assessments and negotiations, and also served as a senior researcher for the World Trade Institute, WTO and the World Bank. She leads a women's micro-entrepreneur programme and has supported the development of fair-trade standards for her region. She speaks French and English.[Name of Person], BA (NLSIU), LLB (NLSIU) is a practising advocate before the High Court of Karnataka, India, and an expert in dispute resolution concerning infrastructure and property law. He has assisted the Hon High Court of Karnataka in environmental matters, including constitutional challenges to land enactments under Karnataka Land Reforms Act, and has published over 40 papers and books worldwide, including Sustainable Developments in Property Law (CUP, 2022). He speaks Hindi, English and basic Arabic.
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DEMED Sustainable Trade Law
Key Essentials: Trade Rules, Sustainable Development and the Law
COURSE OVERVIEW
This short course provides approximately eight hours of total learning time, with six modules of recorded instruction from leading University of Cambridge and global experts, two live classroom engagements on Zoom and approximately two to three hours of independent, self-paced work. Independent work includes completing required readings, exploring recommended resources, preparing for and submitting assessments and providing feedback on the course.
COURSE RATIONALE
This course provides leaders and learners in law and policy making, analysis, practice and reporting, from governments, academia and civil society and practitioner communities with an overview of international trade rules and the World Trade Organization. The course examines key challenges, solutions, and the role of law in advancing sustainable trade both worldwide and in learners’ jurisdictions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Introduce learners to pressing sustainable trade law and governance challenges.
Explore international trade rules and their implications for law and policy.
Identify and analyse sustainable development-related innovations in multilateral, regional and bilateral trade regimes.
Prepare learners to strengthen the sustainability contributions of trade rules through assessment, negotiation, implementation and dispute settlement.
Inspire learners to advance their global careers in sustainability and justice.
COURSE OUTCOMES
Learners develop key essentials of analytical and advocacy skills, acquiring specialist knowledge of sustainable trade law and governance. Learners who pass the course and complete a course feedback form receive a certification signed by leading experts from Lucy Cavendish College and Hughes Hall at the University of Cambridge. Learners also gain access to a global network of alumni climate change law and governance specialists from their cohort and beyond.
NETWORK WITH YOUR COHORT AND EXPLORE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Learners are invited to join this LinkedIn group created especially for Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice participants to engage and interact with their cohort and to share and explore further opportunities in the field.
REQUESTING ASSISTANCE
Learners having trouble accessing certain modules should review the guidance video on how to progress through the course content:
How to Complete the Online Short Course and Progress through the Modules
For any administrative or technical questions related to the course, learners can email the Programme Team at demedglobal@law.cam.ac.uk, who will respond as quickly as possible. For any questions relating to the course topic that learners would like to receive input on from fellow learners from around the world, learners can post such queries in the Question & Answer Forum below, but this forum is not monitored actively by the DemEd Global team.
Question & Answer Forum
In this forum, learners can discuss any of the course topics with other members of the cohort. Learners can also post any questions they have regarding the course content in this forum. However, because the forum is not actively monitored by the DemEd Global team, learners should email any questions relating to course administration to demedglobal@law.cam.ac.uk.
Forum icon
Networking & Cohort Engagement Forum
This forum provides a space for learners to introduce themselves, share their experiences and connect with other members of the cohort. Learners can post their 80-word biographies here for other learners to view, but are not required to do so.
Live Engagement Session 1
Learners attend a live welcome to the course, held online via Zoom, during which learners meet the course instructors, guest experts and other learners from around the world taking the online course, and review the course structure and objectives.
Prior to the live session:
Learners familiarise themselves with the layout of provided resources and the structure of the course.
Learners ensure that they have access to Zoom videos and that all course links and recordings function on their devices.
Learners watch the pre-recorded lectures for Module 1, found in the "To watch" section of that module.
Learners read the course materials for this module and prepare a short, 80-word biography of themselves based on the provided examples.
Session details:
Held online on Monday 26 May 2025 from 1:00 - 2:30PM BST. Please confirm this time in your local time-zone using: https://savvytime.com/converter/bst
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Zoom Link to Join Live Engagement Session 1 (26 May 2025)URL
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Live Engagement Session 1 (26 May 2025)URL
Please watch this recording of the first live engagement session if you were unable to attend. Please note, the captions are auto-generated and therefore there may be some inaccuracies.
Module 1: Course Introduction and Orientation
In this module, learners attend a live welcome to the course, held online via Zoom, during which learners meet the course instructors, guest speakers and other learners from around the world taking the online course, and review the course structure and objectives.
Learning focus:
Become familiar with the course structure and provided resources.
Meet instructors and other learners from around the world.
Explore the online UN resources on sustainable development, trade and the law.
Taught by:
Dr Markus Gehring, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge
Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Chair in Sustainable Development Law and Policy, University of Cambridge / Senior Director, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law
Featuring global experts:
Professor Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization
Professor James Bacchus, Former Chairman and Chief Judge, World Trade Organization Appellate Body
Mr Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz, Senior Expert, Trade and Sustainable Development / Visiting Fellow, Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, University of Cambridge
Dr Jan Yves Remy, Director, Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services, University of the West Indies
These slides briefly summarize the information found in the readings and recordings for this module and have been provided to assist learners with their notetaking for the course.
To explore:
J Trachtman, et al., Villars Framework for a Sustainable Global Trade System, Version 2.0 (2024) [Click here]
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development, "Trade" [Click here] UNCTAD, "Trade and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" [Click here]
UNCTAD, "Trade and Development Report 2024" [Click here]
WTO, “World Trade Report 2024 – Trade and Inclusiveness: How to make Trade work for All” [Click here]
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development, "Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" [Click here]
Recommended for further reading (if interested):
J Bacchus, Trade Links: New Rules for a New World (Cambridge University Press 2022) [Click here]
MC Cordonier Segger, Athena's Treaties: Crafting Trade and Investment Accords for Sustainable Development (Oxford University Press 2021) [Click here]
G Shaffer & R Meléndez-Ortiz (eds), Dispute Settlement at the WTO: The Developing Country Experience (Cambridge University Press 2010) [Click here]
KEY ESSENTIALS
Trade Rules, Sustainable Development and the Law
Module 1: Introduction to International Trade and Sustainable Development
Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice
Online Education Series
Learning Objectives
Global Challenge: Weak Global Trade Growth, Widening Inequalities and Complexities
Source: UNCTADSTAT, Indicators Explained # 3: Export Product Concentration Index
Source: UNCTAD, Handbook of Statistics 2023
In 2023, global trade was forecasted to only grow around 1%, which is "significantly below world economic output growth."
Many developing economies continue to "struggle with trade diversification." In 2021, the exports concentration index for developing economies (0.09) was notably higher than that for developed economies (0.06). In 2021, the 25 countries with the highest exports concentration index were all developing economies, with seven of them being least developed countries (LDCs).
Since 2011, LDCs' share in world exports of goods and services has hovered around 1%. LDCs are not on track to meet SDG target 17.11 of "doubling their share of global exports."
By 2024, over 371 regional trade agreements had been WTO notified, creating a web of interrelated obligations, including on sustainable development.
Over 624 disputes have been raised in the WTO to date, adding to the complexity.
Source: UNCTAD, Trade and Development Report Update (Apr 2024); UNCTAD, Trade and Development Report 2023
Adverse Trade Impacts
Trade agreements may stimulate a type of economic growth that harms both social and environmental sustainability.
Global, regional and bilateral trade agreements can overlap with environmental and social regulations, affecting the implementation of sustainable development-related treaties, such as the Paris Agreement or the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in developing and developed countries alike.
Potential adverse impacts of trade agreements on social cohesion
Source: Wikimedia Commons, Plastic Pollution in Santa Luzia, Cape Verde
Source: MC Cordonier Segger, Athena's Treaties: Crafting Trade and Investment Accords for Sustainable Development
Global Policy Progress on Sustainable Development
Need to Enhance Contribution of Multilateral Trading System to Sustainable Development
"Trade . . . [is] key in solving today's problems and delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals."
- Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General, World Trade Organization
Trade and the Sustainable Development Goals
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises international trade as "an engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction" and as an important means of advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030
Integrated Trade Responses to Global Economic, Social and Environmental Challenges
The multilateral trading system and international trade rules are pivotal for advancing the three pillars of sustainable development . . .
For Bio Exercise: Examples of Brief, Professional Bios
It is important to use consistent formatting of name, education and current position, to stay brief (80 words), and to clearly focus on relevant interests, experience and languages.
Recommended Online Resources:
- UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development, "Trade" [Click here]
- UNCTAD, "Trade and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" [Click here]
- UNCTAD, "Trade and Development Report 2023" [Click here]
- WTO, “World Trade Report 2023 – Re-globalization for a secure, inclusive and sustainable future” [Click here]
- UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs: Sustainable Development, "Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development" [Click here]
Recommended further reading / to order from publishers if interested:
- J Bacchus, Trade Links: New Rules for a New World (Cambridge University Press 2022) [Click here]
- MC Cordonier Segger, Athena's Treaties: Crafting Trade and Investment Accords for Sustainable Development (Oxford University Press 2021) [Click here]
- G Shaffer & R Meléndez-Ortiz (eds), Dispute Settlement at the WTO: The Developing Country Experience (Cambridge University Press 2010) [Click here]
Trade
https://sdgs.un.org/topics/trade#:~:text=Within%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goal %2017,%2C%20non%2Ddiscriminatory%20and%20equitable.
Related SDGS
17 Strengthen the means of
supportive in
ternational economic
implementation and re ...
Trade and Sustainable Development is addressed in Chapter 2 of Agenda 21, and in Chapter V and Chapter X of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
Trade liberalisation and globalisation can hav sustainable development. There is a continue
countries to integrate themselves into and derive benefits from the multilateral trading system. At the same time, attention also must be given to enhancing the contribution of the multilateral trading system to sustainable development.
A
environment
supportive international climate for achieving environment and development goals by:
promoting
sustainable development through trade liberalisation;
making trade and environment mutually supportive;
providing adequate financial resources to developing countries dealing with internati debt; and
encouraging macroeconomic policies conducive to environment and development." Trade and sustainable development were discussed at the first, second, third, fourth
fifth session of the Commission. Within the framework of the Commission's multi-year programme of work, this issue was again discussed at the eighth session, together with economic growth and investment, as one of the major cross-sectoral themes.
The outcome of the Rio+20 (https://sustainabledevelo
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld) recognize that international trade plays a fundamental role in promoting sustained, inclusive and
sustainable economic growth, creating jobs, r peoples.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development defines international trade as “an engine for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction, [that] contributes to the promotion
of sustainable development”. The ad to continue to promote “meaningful”
For more information and documents on
e both positive and negative effects on d need to support efforts by developing
option of Agenda 203 trade liberalization ov
maximize the contribution of trade to the success of the sustainable development agenda. In this context, . trade is expected to play its role as a means of implementation for the achievement of the SDGs.
As major institutional stakeholders on trade and the SDGs issues, UNCTAD, WTO, and International Trade Center monitor trends, analyze policy and build analytical capacity for making international trade an engine for sustainable development.
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Module 2: Trade Rules Principles, Practices and Global Governance
Learning focus:
Understand the origins and evolution of the international trade regime and its key principles. Analyse the role of international trade rules in achieving sustainable development goals related to g governance.
Examine how institutions like the UN, regional organisations,
sustainable trade policies and laws.
Explore bilateral and regional agreements integrating sustainable trade in practice. Critically assess the challenges and opportunities of aligning trade agreements with the
Goals pertaining to good global governance, and the role of international cooperation and coordination in this process.
Sustainable Development Goals at a glance:
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Taught by:
Dr Markus Gehring, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge
Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Chair in Sustainable Development Law and Policy, University of Cambridge / Senior Director, Centre for International Sustainable Development Law
Professor Meredith A. Crowley, Professor, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge / Researcher, Centre Inclusive Trade Policy
Dr Jellie Molino, International Legal Expert, Sustainable Public Procurement /
Research Associate, Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge
Dr Kennedy Mbeva, Research Associate, Centre for the Study of Existential Risk, University of Cambridge
Featuring global experts: Mr Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz,
File icon
To read: Materials for Module 2 – Key Essentials: Democratising Education)File
Senior Expert, Trade and Sustainable Development / Visiting
Centre for International Law, University of Cambridge
Professor James Bacchus, Former Chairman and Chief Judge, World Trade Organization
Done: View
These slides briefly summarize the information found in the readings and recordings for
been provided to assist learners with their notetaking for the
To explore:
WTO, Overview [Click here]
UN Commission on International Trade Law Website [Click here]
WTO, Regional Trade Agreements: Database [Click here]
WTO, Dispute Settlement Gateway [Click here]
UNCTAD, "Trading Into Sustainable Development:
(2016) [Click here]
UNDP, "Global Progress Report on Sustainable Development Goal 16 Indicators: A Wake-Up Call for Action on Peace, Justice and Inclusion" (2023) [Click here]
European Climate Foundation and Foresight Intelligence, “The Future of
Foresight Analysis to 2040” (2023) [Click here]
Lesson icon
To watch: Videos for Module 2 – Key Essentials: Trade Democratising Education)Lesson
Done: View
Done: Spend at least 52 mi
Done: Go through the activity to the end
ns on
this activity
and national governments shape
Trade Rules, Sustainable Development
course.
Senior Consultant, The World Bank /
Trade, Market Access, and the Sustainable Development Goals"
Rules, Sustainable Development and the Law (Cambridge:
Recommended for further reading and exploration (if interested):
P Van den Bossche & W Zdouc, The Law and Policy of the World Trade Organization: Text, Cases, and Materials,
5th ed. (Cambridge University Press 2021) [Click here]
C Deere-Birkbeck and C Monagle, Strengthening Multilateralism: A
Global Trade Governance (ICTSD 2010) [Click here]
J Lehne, Crisis at the WTO : Is the Blocking of Appointments to the WTO
Legally Justified? (Carl Grossman Verlag 2019) [Click here]
M Oehl, “Sustainable Commodity Use Its Governance, Legal Framework, and Future Regulatory Instr European Yearbook of International Economic Law, 21 (2022) [Click here]
Mapping of Proposals on WTO Reform and
Fellow, Lauterpacht
Appellate Body
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Trade in a Net Zero World: A Strategic
Appellate Body by the United States
lobal
and implement
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KEY ESSENTIALS
Trade Rules, Sustainable Development and the Law
Module 2: Trade Rules Principles, Practices and Global Governance
Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice Online Education Series
Global Challenge: A Complex and Globalised Trade System
Intensity of Global Trade & Investment Routes
Global Volume of Trade by Region
Source: Marine Traffic, Marine Traffic Density (2021).
Source: WTO World Region Export Analysis, October
2017; Bain & Company Analysis
The global economy is linked by a web of national authorities, as well as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
(ICSID) and other rules, and also an increasingly complex network of regional/bilateral
economic accords.
By 2024, over 371 regional trade agreements had been WTO notified, creating a web of interrelated obligations, including on sustainable development.
Over 624 disputes have been raised in the WTO to date, adding to the complexity.
Sources: WTO OMC, Regional Trade Agreements: Database, https://rtais.wto.org/UI/PublicMaintainRTAHome. aspx; Get from Markus] WTO, Dispute Settlement, https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/ dispu_e/dispu_e.htm.
Global Challenge: Trade in a Net Zero World
According to new research from the European Climate Foundation and Foresight Intelligence, trade could and should look different in a world that seeks to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century to curb climate change.
According to this analysis, there are three likely scenarios:
Blue Scenario
• In 2040, trade is contentious, regional, and expensive. The world is divided into fuzzy Northwestern and Southeastern trade spheres, imposing diverging standards and redirecting supply chains.
Red Scenario
• In 2040, trade is highly restricted, deglobalised and disrupted by extreme climatic and weather events.
Yellow Scenario
• In 2040, trade is booming and mostly decarbonised – net zero goods and services are default options.
The analysis also includes a “Green Scenario,” which describes a world committed to tackling climate change cooperatively.
Source: European Climate Foundation and Foresight Intelligence, “The Future of Trade in a Net Zero World: A Strategic Foresight Analysis to 2040” (2023).
International Policy Objectives: SDG 17
Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
• Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
Target 17.10: Promote a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization, including through the conclusion of negotiations under its Doha Development Agenda
Target 17.11: Significantly increase the exports of developing countries, in particular with a view to doubling the least developed countries’ share of global exports by 2020
Target 17.12: Realize timely implementation of duty-free and quota-free market access on a lasting basis for all least developed countries, consistent with World Trade Organization decisions, including by ensuring that preferential rules of origin applicable to imports from least developed countries are transparent and simple, and contribute to facilitating market access
International Policy Objectives: SDG 16
Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-
making at all levels
Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
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