International trade linked to 20% of global emissions – but imports ignored

Researchers have warned that global emissions from the production of goods and services that cross borders account for roughly 20 % of worldwide carbon output, yet the environmental impact of imports remains largely unaddressed by policy. A new study published by climate scientists analysed supply‑chain emissions across more than 200 countries, finding that the carbon footprint associated with imported products is comparable to that of the importing nation’s own domestic emissions. The analysis highlighted that large economies such as the United States, China and the European Union, which are major importers, are responsible for a disproportionate share of these hidden emissions.

The authors argue that current climate agreements focus almost exclusively on domestic production, leaving a significant portion of the global emissions gap unfilled. They recommend that governments incorporate trade‑linked emissions into national greenhouse‑gas inventories and develop mechanisms—such as carbon tariffs or import‑based emissions accounting—to incentivise cleaner production abroad. The study calls for an international framework that balances the need to maintain global trade flows with the urgency of reducing the carbon intensity of imported goods and services.