ORIGINS
Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade
Supporting dialogue and solution-building at the intersection of climate change and trade
A Cooperative Undertaking
Trade policy and climate change policy are increasingly interlinked. International trade is critical to the goals of the Paris Agreement through its role in enabling shifts in production patterns, driving technology development and transfer, unlocking investment in climate solutions and fostering prosperity as a critical driver of climate action.
Climate change, in turn, is reshaping the context for trade policy as the global economy transitions, creating opportunities and challenges for sustainable development that require enhanced international cooperation.
A focused effort is long-overdue to foster collaboration on policies, partnerships and reforms that deliver broad-based economic and social gain and drive progress toward the 1.5-degree target and climate resiliency.
The Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade (IFCCT) was launched at COP30 by the Brazilian COP Presidency. The governments of Brazil and Australia then co-led a consultative phase on the Forum, including on modalities and thematic focus, concluding at the end of March 2026.
As outlined at a briefing held alongside the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the IFCCT is intended to run for an initial phase of 3 years, with the inaugural meeting planned for June 2026 in Bonn. A roadmap was shared that outlines additional key milestones in the early stages of the Forum’s work, including technical engagement towards a dialogue among senior officials alongside COP31.
This webpage introduces the IFCCT vision and key aspects of the Forum.
Vision
The Forum's Approach
Inclusive and balanced
Co-chaired by Brazil and a developed country partner, and open to all Parties to the UNFCCC, the IFCCT will fill an existing gap by creating an interdisciplinary space for exploratory, non-prejudicial, and solution-oriented dialogue among government officials, underpinned by non-government expert advice. The IFCCT will aim to foster collaboration at different levels, deepen understanding of policy options, and build momentum around areas of convergence.
Independent and non-negotiating
The IFCCT is institutionally independent of both the WTO and the UNFCCC and respects their mandates. It does not seek to make rules. It produces reference materials that countries could apply as they choose without obligation. Its purpose is not to duplicate negotiations or discussions underway in other forums, but to support them by generating ideas, finding common ground and building trust and mutual understanding between governments and the individual officials who represent them.
Non-binding and non-attributable
All proceedings are non-binding, non-negotiated and non-attributable. Outputs are to be publicly available on the IFCCT website.
Holistic approach
A key feature of the Forum is to bring together government officials from both the climate and trade domains in informal settings, taking a holistic approach that complements and supports cross-cutting work under the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) without having to navigate potential mandate and expertise gaps.
Evidence-based and solution-oriented
An Expert Panel of distinguished experts and academics, balanced between developing and developed country nationals, will support the Forum, in order to enhance the technical depth of discussions and promote constructive exchanges focused on substantive issues.
Working Principles
Participate
UNFCCC Parties may nominate officials to participate in IFCCT activities through an email to secretariat@ifcct.org, noting the contact information for two designated national focal points (e.g., climate and trade).
Contact
For more information reach out to: secretariat@ifcct.org
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