Green Transition of Global Trade: Opportunities and Policy Frameworks in Clean Energy Trade

The global energy transition has accelerated under the influence of the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, climate change, digitalization, and technological advancements. The energy crisis, deepened by the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022, has highlighted issues of supply security, price stability, and dependence on fossil fuels. In this context, the European Union (EU) has taken steps through the European Green Deal and related regulations to diversify energy supply, expand renewable sources, and strengthen energy independence. Clean energy investments by major economies such as China, the EU, the United States, and India have reshaped international trade. The aim of this study is to analyze trade policies that support the global clean energy transition and the opportunities for clean energy trade. The research was conducted based on the factsheets and communications of the European Commission, directives and regulations of the European Parliament, as well as reports of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Energy Agency (IEA), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The study examines: the global energy crisis; the European Green Deal, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), Conference of the Parties (COP) decisions under the UNFCCC; the WTO’s Aid for Trade initiative and the IEA’s projections for 2050. The findings show that countries possessing critical metals and minerals used in renewable energy production-particularly solar photovoltaic equipment-can increase their clean energy export capacities with appropriate financing. The study is expected to provide a guiding framework for policymakers and businesses.