The Weekly Tradecast by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

18. Bearing the brunt: Why least developed countries need more climate help

Just ahead of the COP27 climate summit, UNCTAD's Weekly Tradecast looks at why developing nations suffer the most from climate change and need the most help to adapt, with Paul Akiwumi, UNCTAD’s director for Africa and least developed countries.
The world’s 46 least developed countries, or LDCs, are home to more than one billion people but account for just 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet they bear the brunt of climate change with more destructive storms, floods and heatwaves.
This week, UNCTAD released its annual report on LDCs, focusing this year on the low-carbon transition. These countries are the litmus test, it says, for international climate efforts.
With support from advanced countries falling short, tune in to find out why a reboot is needed to ensure a just low-carbon transition for the world’s most vulnerable countries.

17. Sea of trouble: Turning our ships green

In the run-up to the COP 27 global climate summit, The Weekly Tradecast looks at why ships and ports must drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions with Jan Hoffmann, head of trade logistics at UNCTAD.
The shipping industry is vital to the global economy – over 80% of all traded goods move by sea – but there's a big downside for the environment. 
As their massive engines churn, cargo ships produce as much carbon dioxide every year as the whole of Japan. That has to change to stay in line with the Paris climate agreement’s 1.5C global heating target. 
Tune in to find out how the shipping sector can transform to reduce emissions and help protect the planet. 

16. Energy dilemma: Fossil fuels versus renewables in a time of crisis

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about the energy crisis and alternatives to get beyond it with Henrique Pacini, an UNCTAD economist specializing in trade, energy and the environment. 
The war in Ukraine has tightened supplies of oil and gas, driving up prices and uncertainty just as demand recovers with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. 
Western nations are phasing out Russian fuel but scrambling to secure energy from elsewhere to keep factories running and prepare for winter.  
Will the energy crisis push countries into postponing climate goals and investments in cleaner renewable energy? Tune in to Henrique to find out. 

15. Going hungry: Conflict, COVID-19 and climate change strain world’s food supply

Ahead of World Food Day, this episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about the right to food with senior economist Miho Shirotori of UNCTAD’s international trade and commodities division.
Many countries have long struggled with food insecurity. But COVID-19, conflict and climate change are making hunger problems worse and forcing some nations to the brink of famine. 
The war in Ukraine has put a major strain on supplies as both Russia and Ukraine are "breadbaskets" for countries in the Middle East and Africa. 
With at least 345 million people facing acute food insecurity and many more going hungry, listen to Miho to find out how we can overcome shortages and achieve the right to food. 

14. Changing course: Shift in policies needed to avert a global recession

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about the Trade and Development Report 2022 with economist and author Richard Kozul-Wright, director of UNCTAD’s globalization and development strategies division.
UNCTAD’S new report warns of tough times ahead if rich countries persist with current policies to fight inflation. Rapid tightening of monetary policy in advanced economies and inadequate multilateral support for developing countries are pushing the world towards recession and stagnation. 
The damage, the report says, could be even worse than the financial crisis in 2008 and the COVID-19 shock in 2020. 
Can the world change course to avert a new crisis? Listen to Richard to find out what UNCTAD’s report calls for.

13. Beyond GDP: Is it time to end our obsession with economic growth?

This episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about economic growth and how we measure it with Anu Peltola, officer-in-charge of statistics at UNCTAD. 
For nearly 80 years, data on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been the barometer of a country’s success and prosperity. Growing economies tend to have higher standards of living, while shrinking economies usually mean job cuts, financial pressure and hard times.
But the benefits of growth are not universal, and the impact of climate change raises serious questions about the links between growth and carbon emissions.  
Listen to Anu to find out if it’s time to rethink how we measure our economic success.  

12. Ghosts of recessions past: Is history repeating itself?

This episode of UNCTAD’s Weekly Tradecast looks at recessions past and possibly present with Anastasia Nesvetailova, head of UNCTAD's macroeconomic and development policies branch. 
High energy prices, rising interest rates and volatile financial markets – it’s starting to look a lot like 2007, the start of the Great Recession that led to millions of people losing their homes, jobs and savings. It was the worst downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s. 
Warnings of impending financial doom are widespread right now. Listen in to Anastasia to find out if history really is repeating itself. 

11. Drowning in debt: How developing countries can survive the crisis

In this episode of The Weekly Tradecast, we’re talking about the global debt crisis with economist Penelope Hawkins, a senior economic affairs officer in UNCTAD’s debt and development finance branch.
Many developing countries were already struggling to stay afloat after taking on more debt during the pandemic.
Now, with the war in Ukraine, the economic waters are more turbulent.
Interest rates are rising and the burden of borrowing is even heavier.
When the costs get too severe, governments must divert spending from health, education and other public services essential for development.
Will they get a lifeline to keep them from drowning in debt? Listen to this episode of The Weekly Tradecast to find out.