Trade Justice Movement | June 2026
Trade and climate online community: summary of findings
New research from the Trade Justice Movement challenges the idea that trade policy is too technical for public debate.
Based on a seven-day online research community with members of the UK public, the report finds that people can engage quickly and meaningfully with trade policy when trade rules are explained clearly and linked to real-world concerns such as climate action, energy bills, public money and corporate power.
Participants began with limited familiarity with trade rules, tariffs, subsidies, procurement and Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), but became more engaged as these issues were explained in plain language and connected to everyday concerns.
The research found that:
- people are receptive to climate-aligned trade policy when the connection with real-world outcomes is made clear;
- messages work best when they are practical, accessible and visibly linked to public benefit;
- participants were strongly concerned about corporate power in trade policy, especially ISDS;
- fairness, accountability, public money, energy security and democratic decision-making are important entry points for public communication.
The findings build on the Citizens’ Assembly on Trade and Climate, convened by the Trade Justice Movement and Queen Mary University of London in 2024.
Resources
Making trade and climate resonate with the public: a communications toolkit
