Global Commodity Trading and Sustainable Development

With this project we investigate how global commodity trading – a sector with major hubs in Switzerland and worldwide – is linked with sustainable development. Trade in mineral and agricultural commodities is central to the global economy, particularly for the organisation and functioning of global value chains. It is closely linked to geopolitical developments and has a major impact on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Commodity trading broadly encompasses the procurement, purchase, transport, storage, processing and sale of physical commodities, including the management of associated risks, as well as operating physical assets in this context. With all these activities, it is deeply entangled with social, environmental, and economic challenges, from climate impacts and human rights issues to financial risks and governance concerns.

Project Goal

The main goal is to take stock of existing research on the links between commodity trading and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By bringing together insights from economics, law, environmental science, political science, business, history, and public health, the project aims to:

Summarize what we know about the effects of commodity trading on sustainability.
Identify key gaps in research and open questions.
Inform policymakers, commodity firms, producer countries, and international organizations on how commodity trading can better contribute to global sustainability.

Project Activities

Interdisciplinary review: Around 12 researchers from different fields each prepare a review of existing scientific insights on the topic.
Synthesis & dialogue: Their findings will be combined into a joint synthesis report and discussed at a symposium with policymakers, experts, and stakeholders.
Publications: Based on this work, the project will produce several outputs.

Project Organisation

Project Lead

The project is co-led by the GRP-Alliance and ETH-NADEL.

Academic Partners

ETH Zürich

University of Basel

University of Bern

University of St. Gallen

Geneva Graduate Institute

Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences

Swiss Institute of Comparative Law

Swiss TPH