Can the UK government be 'world-leading' in both trade and climate policy?

The UK Government has clearly indicated its ambition for global leadership in two policy areas – liberal, open trade and climate change mitigation – but are these goals compatible? In this Briefing Paper, we examine the coherence of UK trade and climate goals in response to three questions: 1. Has the UK Government set out a clear strategy for integrating trade and climate policy? 2. Is the UK Government acting on areas of mutual supportiveness? 3. Is the UK Government addressing areas of potential conflict? We find room for improvement in relation to all three questions. In answer to the first question, we identify a lack of cross-cutting strategy in UK climate legislation and in its approach to free trade agreements. On the second question, we suggest the UK reforms its approach to fossil fuel subsidies and builds on its efforts in regard to environmental goods. And on the third question, we underscore the lack of ambition of current UK climate mitigation measures and lack of transparency around future measures, and discuss the need for an ambitious UK approach to carbon pricing.