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means new jobs. Globally, over 8 million people work in renewable energy. In some countries, new renewable energy jobs are outstripping those created in the oil and gas industries.These are important developments. And trade has played an important role here, whether by reducing trade costs, stimulating investment in key sectors of the climate economy, or fostering innovation. And I think trade policy can do more. Removing barriers to trade could add further momentum to the clean energy transformation unfolding right before us. And some important work is being done.A group of WTO members has been working towards reaching an Environmental Goods Agreement. Of course, it is not easy – but that reflects how important this deal would be. The agreement aims to eliminate duties on key environmental goods, such as those needed in the fight against climate change. It includes, for example:• solar, wind and geothermal energy equipment,• insulation materials, and• the key components of smart grids.Ministers and senior officials involved in this deal met in Geneva last December. It was a constructive meeting, but clearly there is still work to do. In this way, and others, I think the trading system can make a positive and meaningful contribution towards tackling environmental degradation.This brings me to my third and final point.A debate like this one offers the opportunity for an open and informed dialogue that can ensure that trade and climate policies go hand in hand. A growing number of countries are putting in place measures to combat and adapt to climate change, often as part of pledges under the Paris Agreement.A recent study shows that there are currently more than 1,200 climate change laws in place. In 1997 there were just 60. And WTO data shows that climate measures are often closely related to trade. Roughly, one-third of environmental measures notified to the WTO are related to climate action. Moreover, around half of the Trade Policy Reviews conducted in recent years include at least one reference to climate change. I think all this points to the growing policy links between trade and climate change. We should seize this opportunity to ensure that trade and climate change policies can reinforce and strengthen each other.So, to conclude, I believe that the WTO has an important role to play here.But, for the WTO to play its full part, members must continue to deepen their dialogue, identify where the challenges lie, what current practices are and – of course – what the WTO can bring to the table. Initiatives like this are a very important part of these efforts. I hope we will keep building on this dialogue and ensure that we can make our contribution in the fight against climate change. As I said at the outset – there is real urgency here. And it is the poorest that stand to lose the most. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORRoberto Azevêdo is the sixth Director-General of the WTO. His appointment took effect on 1 September 2013 for a four-year term. At a meeting of the General Council on 28 February 2017, WTO members agreed by consensus to appoint Roberto Azevêdo as Director-General for a second four-year term, whPictured: Roberto Azevêdoich started on 1 September 2017. TRADE 087