Resources include: White paper · Interactive index · 30 economy profiles · Infographics · Video ·
and more

About the STI 2026

The global trading environment has entered a period of profound change. Geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, supply chain vulnerabilities, and growing sustainability pressures are reshaping how economies compete, cooperate, and grow.

Drawing on five years of data across 30 economies in the Asia-Pacific and beyond, the Sustainable Trade Index (STI) 2026 examines the policies, institutions, and capabilities that underpin sustainable trade. The Index measures an economy’s capacity to generate long-term prosperity through trade while advancing social well-being and environmental stewardship. At a time of heightened uncertainty, it also offers insights into how economies build the resilience needed to withstand shocks and adapt to a more complex trading landscape.

The STI framework is built around three interconnected pillars:

1. Economic pillar

The economic pillar assesses an economy’s ability to generate and sustain economic growth through international trade. It captures measures on the quality of trade-related infrastructure, the investment climate, business accessibility to credit, and the presence of trade barriers. Additionally, it considers the diversification of trade partners and the concentration of exports of specific goods. The indicators provide insights into how effectively an economy can navigate and capitalize on global trade opportunities.

2. Societal pillar

The societal pillar captures the human dimensions that make trade sustainable over the long term. It examines factors critical for building a skilled labor force such as educational attainment and labor practices. It further assesses the societal readiness for trade expansion by considering factors such as income inequality, political stability, and the prevalence of exploitative practices like child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking in an economy’s trade activities. By assessing how effectively an economy manages to balance the benefits of trade to economic growth with social costs associated with increased trade, the societal pillar informs how well the needs and well-being of the population are being met.

3. Environmental pillar

The environmental pillar evaluates how an economy manages its natural resources and mitigates the environmental impact of its trade activities. It looks at responsible stewardship over natural resources and efforts to reduce negative externalities. Key indicators include levels of air and water pollution, adherence to national environmental standards, carbon emissions, and dependency on natural resources within export portfolios. This pillar is critical in understanding the ecological implications of trade practices and how an economy integrates environmental sustainability into its growth strategy.

The STI 2026 results will be released on 13 October, followed by a webinar video on 15 October.

The Sustainable Trade Index is currently in its eighth edition. Download other editions below:

Sustainable Trade Index 2025	Sustainable Trade Index 2020
Sustainable Trade Index 2024	Sustainable Trade Index 2018
Sustainable Trade Index 2023	Sustainable Trade Index 2016
Sustainable Trade Index 2022

Access the full white paper