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11 November 2025: UK-Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein FTA Sub-Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) – joint minutes

Published 16 March 2026

Joint minutes of the second meeting of the Sub-Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Iceland and the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Kingdom of Norway.

The second meeting took place on 11 November 2025 by video conference.

Greeting and opening remarks

The second meeting of the Sub-Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) under the UK-European Economic Area/European Free Trade Association (UK-EEA/EFTA) Free Trade Agreement (‘the Agreement’) took place on 11 November 2025 via video conference.

The parties reaffirmed the shared commitment to advancing sustainable development through trade and emphasised the importance of cooperation under the TSD framework.

Approval of the agenda

The agenda was reviewed and adopted without amendment, allowing the meeting to proceed to substantive discussions.

Public engagement

The United Kingdom (UK) outlined its approach to transparency and stakeholder engagement, highlighting mechanisms for civil society input and consultation. Norway shared its domestic engagement practices and stressed the value of maintaining dialogue with non-governmental actors to ensure inclusivity and accountability.

Dedicated discussion sharing information on trade and environment, including climate action

The parties provided updates on their implementation of the environment and climate aspects of Chapter 13 of the Agreement.

The UK presented its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, launched under the government’s ‘Plan for Change’ strategy. The plan sets an ambitious target of delivering 100% clean electricity by 2030, supported by significant expansion of offshore and onshore wind capacity, solar power, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture.

The UK also outlined its Modern Industrial Strategy and new Trade Strategy, which prioritise clean energy sectors and international collaboration to accelerate the green transition. The parties decided to explore opportunities to deepen cooperation on clean energy and sustainable trade under the FTA framework. Updates were provided on the UK’s forthcoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), scheduled for introduction in January 2027, and ongoing engagement with trading partners to address carbon leakage.

Norway shared its national climate objectives, including its legally binding target of net zero emissions by 2050. It also shared its recent legislative measures to strengthen marine protection and to implement the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ-agreement).

Norway also highlighted its participation in global negotiations on plastics and its efforts to partly implement the EU Deforestation Regulation through the EEA framework.

Iceland emphasised its leadership in renewable energy, particularly geothermal power, and its commitment to integrating sustainability into trade policy.

Liechtenstein reported on its environmental strategies, including its new strategy to promote biodiversity and the revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) on climate.

Dedicated discussion sharing information on trade and labour

The UK provided a comprehensive update on its labour policy developments.

The UK provided an update on the Employment Rights Bill, first introduced in October 2024. The bill sets out an ambitious agenda to ensure employment rights are fit for a modern economy, and working people feel more empowered. The UK confirmed that analysis is underway to determine whether the UK will ratify International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 155 concerning occupational safety and health.

Similarities were highlighted between the UK’s Employment Rights Bill and the changes made in Norway’s Working Environments Act. For example, creating frameworks which promote clarity and stability in working arrangements and commitments to strengthen job security. The UK also raised the ongoing review of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) to strengthen due diligence requirements across global supply chains and legislative frameworks, as referenced in the UK’s recently published Trade Strategy.

Norway outlined recent reforms to its labour market regulations, including enhanced enforcement powers to combat labour market crime and requirements relating to the psychosocial working environment. Norway also provided an update on the restrictions on temporary agency work that have attracted significant domestic attention and legal scrutiny, but Norway reaffirmed their compatibility with EEA obligations.

Iceland highlighted its focus on labour market stability and wage equality, noting recent agreements aimed at reducing gender disparities.

Liechtenstein reported on developments in parental leave entitlements and collective bargaining frameworks, emphasising their alignment with EEA standards.

Dedicated discussion sharing information on women’s economic empowerment and trade

The UK presented its approach to promoting gender equality through trade, including initiatives under FTAs with Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Case studies highlighted practical measures such as inclusive trade dialogues, work plans for gender-responsive policies, and targeted support for women entrepreneurs. The UK also showcased its digital ‘Resources for Women in Trade’ platform and the She Trades Outlook tool, which provides data-driven insights to inform policy and monitor progress.

Norway shared its national gender equality strategy for 2025 to 2030, which inter alia focuses on financial independence and equity in the labour market, a society without violence, rape, sexual and online harassment and effective national mechanisms for promoting gender equality.

Iceland emphasised its global leadership in gender equality and outlined efforts to strengthen women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sectors and trade-related activities.

Liechtenstein reported on recent developments in the political and economic empowerment of women.

Closing remarks

The parties thanked all participants for their constructive engagement and reaffirmed the shared commitment to advancing sustainable development objectives through trade. It was decided that the next meeting would review progress on various areas of implementation. The session concluded with consensus on the importance of maintaining momentum and deepening collaboration across all pillars of the TSD chapter.

Annex A: meeting schedule

Sub-Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD)

United Kingdom – Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein

(11 November 2025, videoconference)

1. Greeting and opening remarks
2. Approval of the agenda
3. Public Engagement
4. Dedicated discussion sharing information on Trade and Environment, including climate action
5. Dedicated discussion sharing information on Trade and Labour
6. Dedicated discussion sharing information on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Trade
7. Closing remarks