35. Greener growth: Why least developed countries must act fast to achieve sustainable development

Just ahead of the UN’s fifth conference on the least developed countries, this episode of The Weekly Tradecast talks about why these 46 nations need urgent help to address inequalities, attract investment and deliver the Sustainable Development Goals with UNCTAD economist Rolf Traeger.

The world’s least developed countries (LDCs) are home to more than one billion people. They account for just 1% of global carbon dioxide emissions but bear the brunt of climate change with more destructive storms, floods and heatwaves.

LDCs are also being hit hard by shortages, soaring food and energy prices and crippling debt that imperil their economic development. That presents them with a stark choice between adapting to climate change and exploiting their natural resources.

Listen in to UNCTAD’s Rolf Traeger to find out where the balance lies and how the LDCs can get there.