Both cross-border trade in goods and services and foreign investment are important parts of the global economy. States have undertaken to follow certain rules by signing international trade and investment agreements. From a sustainability perspective, trade and investment are ambiguous: for example, the international transport of goods causes emissions, but can also contribute to the global diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.

Ecologic Institute examines the tension between trade and the environment, especially from a legal and economic perspective, and makes proposals on how to make trade and investment agreements as environmentally friendly as possible. Reviewing evolving policies and regulatory proposals for their compatibility with international agreements is an important part of the Institute's work. In addition, Ecologic Institute develops recommendations on how to make international trade in resources along supply chains more environmentally friendly and how to prevent the illegal trade in natural resources.