Big climate change job awaits World Trade Organization – if it can step up 

Many campaigners will be sceptical that the WTO, which has long been accused by critics of globalisation of putting free trade ahead of social concerns, should ever be trusted to have a role on climate change. Picture: Frank Schwarzbach

From laying down the law on fossil fuel subsidies to promoting low-carbon supply chains, there is no shortage of ways in which the World Trade Organization could be at the forefront of the global fight against climate change.

The question for trade chiefs from 164 countries gathering in Geneva next week for the WTO's first ministerial conference in four years is: are they ready to give it that job?