Trade and Environment Review

Trade and Environment Review Synopsis

While several rapidly industrializing developing countries have not seen a major slump in their growth by the recent economic and financial crises, UNCTAD´s Trade and Environment Review 2009/2010 (TER 09/10) focuses on the 140 plus low-income and least developed countries, which have not caused the economic, financial, climate and food crises, but have to bear the full brunt of these crises. The stress of the global financial crisis, as well as concerns about climate change and food prices, should be used by developing countries to shift towards ""clean"" growth. Because so little has been done in such nations huge gains can be realised in improving energy efficiency, enhancing sustainable agricultural methods, and stimulating the use of rural, ""off-grid"" renewable energy. But to make this progress happen, governments must eliminate market barriers and policies that prevent the flow of capital into these promising sectors.