Citizens' Assembly urges UK Government to harness trade policy as a tool to combat climate crisis

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.

In its concluding statement, the Assembly declared:

"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.

More information:
Notes to editors:
View the report here: www.qmul.ac.uk/trade-climate-a … y-Brief_Dec-2024.pdf

Launch of the Citizens' Assembly on Trade and Climate report:
The event will take place in the Wilson Room, Portcullis House, on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, from 17:15 – 18:15.
Please note that due to Parliamentary rules on recording meetings in the Wilson Room, we regret that we are unable to offer the option of joining online.

Register for the launch here.
For more information about the Citizens' Assembly on Trade and Climate, please visit: www.qmul.ac.uk/trade-climate-assembly.

Key conclusions from the research include:
Urgency of climate action: Participants emphasised that the UK must act swiftly, reordering its priorities to address the climate emergency. They expressed frustration with the slow pace of current government efforts, calling for bold and transparent leadership.

International collaboration: The Assembly stressed that climate change is a global challenge requiring international cooperation. The UK was urged to work closely with other nations, prioritising accountability and transparency in international agreements.

Fairness and equity: Reflecting on the UK's historic responsibility as a developed nation, Assembly members called for trade policies that support developing countries in their climate transitions. There was a strong consensus that lower-income UK households should be shielded from any additional costs associated with climate policies.
Support for green industries: The Assembly advocated for using trade tools to bolster the UK's green industries, suggesting that this approach would reduce reliance on international supply chains while promoting domestic job creation.

The Assembly's 15 recommendations for the UK Government include:
Establish environmental red lines in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), prioritize low-carbon and sustainable goods, and phase out provisions like Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) that undermine climate commitments.

Redirect fossil fuel subsidies to support green technologies and renewable energy development, with a focus on incentivizing domestic green infrastructure.

Ensure public procurement prioritises sustainable goods and services, with transparency and accountability in spending.

Implement robust, legally binding standards, including a 'Right to Repair' policy to promote the circular economy and reduce waste.

Quotes from Participants:
Amjed: "I think it's really important that the government also communicate with other countries... We are a global community."

Jess: "I've always believed in individual responsibility, but this Assembly made me realise that policy is where we're gonna see real big change."

Kayleigh: "It's encouraging to see that if you take a random selection of the UK population... they are eager to find actionable solutions that work for everyone."

Kate: "Really empowering experience... Please can we replace the House of Lords with a citizens' assembly!"

The Trade Justice Movement is a network of nearly 60 organisations,
including trade unions, environmental groups and justice campaigns,
who push for trade policy that works for people and planet.
www.tjm.org.uk
@TradeJusticeMov

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Queen Mary University
of London combines research excellence with a strong commitment to
public engagement, partnerships, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the
generation of research with broad and compelling public benefits.
www.qmul.ac.uk
@QMUL_HSS

MutualGain empowers communities to engage in democracy and cultivate social capital. Their services include training, capacity building, and personalized courses. They focus on encouraging dialogue and social action using strengths-based techniques.
www.mutualgain.org
@Mutual_Gain

Citizens' Assembly on Trade and Climate
www.qmul.ac.uk/trade-climate-assembly

Provided by Queen Mary, University of London