Global CO₂ emissions from the production of exported goods and services increased from 4.3 Gt CO₂ in 1990 (20% of global emissions) to 7.8 Gt CO₂ in 2008 (26% of global emissions). This growth reflects a significant shift in emissions associated with international trade, with net emission transfers from developing to developed countries rising from 0.4 Gt CO₂ in 1990 to 1.6 Gt CO₂ in 2008, exceeding Kyoto Protocol emission reductions. The study highlights that international trade plays a key role in explaining emission trends, both in production and consumption. Developed countries have increased their consumption-based emissions faster than their territorial emissions, with non-energy-intensive manufacturing playing a major role in emission transfers. The results suggest that countries should monitor emission transfers via international trade alongside territorial emissions to ensure progress toward global emission stabilization. The analysis used a trade-linked global database covering 113 countries and 57 economic sectors from 1990 to 2008. The study found that emissions from the production of traded goods and services have increased significantly, with a growing share of emissions originating in developing countries. The findings indicate that international trade has contributed to a relocation of emissions from developed to developing countries, with implications for climate policy and mitigation strategies. The study also shows that consumption-based emissions are often higher than territorial emissions, highlighting the need for more comprehensive monitoring of emissions associated with international trade. The results suggest that current climate policies may not be sufficient to address the growing role of international trade in emissions, and that policies should be integrated with trade considerations to achieve effective mitigation.Global CO₂ emissions from the production of exported goods and services increased from 4.3 Gt CO₂ in 1990 (20% of global emissions) to 7.8 Gt CO₂ in 2008 (26% of global emissions). This growth reflects a significant shift in emissions associated with international trade, with net emission transfers from developing to developed countries rising from 0.4 Gt CO₂ in 1990 to 1.6 Gt CO₂ in 2008, exceeding Kyoto Protocol emission reductions. The study highlights that international trade plays a key role in explaining emission trends, both in production and consumption. Developed countries have increased their consumption-based emissions faster than their territorial emissions, with non-energy-intensive manufacturing playing a major role in emission transfers. The results suggest that countries should monitor emission transfers via international trade alongside territorial emissions to ensure progress toward global emission stabilization. The analysis used a trade-linked global database covering 113 countries and 57 economic sectors from 1990 to 2008. The study found that emissions from the production of traded goods and services have increased significantly, with a growing share of emissions originating in developing countries. The findings indicate that international trade has contributed to a relocation of emissions from developed to developing countries, with implications for climate policy and mitigation strategies. The study also shows that consumption-based emissions are often higher than territorial emissions, highlighting the need for more comprehensive monitoring of emissions associated with international trade. The results suggest that current climate policies may not be sufficient to address the growing role of international trade in emissions, and that policies should be integrated with trade considerations to achieve effective mitigation.