The next generation of EU partnerships: Making Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (CTIPs) work for climate, industry and development

The EU has introduced Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (CTIPs) to diversify supply chains and foster clean energy cooperation, starting with South Africa. To be effective, CTIPs must move beyond existing frameworks by providing predictable demand, mobilising private finance through innovative instruments, and ensuring transparent, coordinated governance to avoid being perceived as mere compliance tools.

• CTIPs are designed as a flexible, sector-specific alternative to comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and non-binding memoranda of understanding (MoUs), specifically targeting strategic areas such as battery components and steel.
• For CTIPs to be credible and successful, the EU must provide clear financial flows and timelines to avoid the perception of making promises without delivery, particularly when adding value to existing frameworks like the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in South Africa.
• Mobilising private finance is critical because public investment alone is insufficient and high capital costs hinder developing nations; the EU should use guarantees, blended finance, and the European Investment Bank's Global Green Bonds Initiative to de-risk investments.
• The EU needs a 'whole-of-government' approach to coordinate various Directorates General (including TRADE, GROW, CLIMA, ENER, INTPA, and MENA) and the EEAS to prevent fragmentation and provide a single, clear voice to partner countries.

APA

NewClimate Institute (2025). The next generation of EU partnerships: Making Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (CTIPs) work for climate, industry and development. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/joint-policy-brief-making-ctips-work-for-climate-industry-and-development

Chicago

NewClimate Institute. The next generation of EU partnerships: Making Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (CTIPs) work for climate, industry and development. 2025. http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/joint-policy-brief-making-ctips-work-for-climate-industry-and-development.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=NewClimate Institute |title=The next generation of EU partnerships: Making Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (CTIPs) work for climate, industry and development |date=23 September 2025 |url=http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/joint-policy-brief-making-ctips-work-for-climate-industry-and-development |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{newclimateinstitute2025next, author = {{NewClimate Institute}}, title = {{The next generation of EU partnerships: Making Clean Trade and Investment Partnerships (CTIPs) work for climate, industry and development}}, institution = {NewClimate Institute}, year = {2025}, month = sep, url = {http://www.newclimate.org/resources/publications/joint-policy-brief-making-ctips-work-for-climate-industry-and-development}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }