INF/TE/SSD/R/1 8 
1 November  2023 
(23-7361) Page: 1/4 
Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured 
Discussions  Original : English  
 
  
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRUCTURED DISCUSSIONS  
PLENARY MEETING  HELD ON  11 JULY 2023  
Informal summary by the Co -Convenors1 
The plenary meeting of the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) , 
held on 11 July 2023 , was chaired by the TESSD Co-convenors , Ambassador Nadia Theodore 
(Canada) and Ambassador Ronald Saborío (Costa Rica) . Over 100  participants  joined the discussions 
in hybrid format. The meeting offered an opportunity for Membe rs to exchange views on the possible 
outcomes for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference ( MC13 ), an update of the TESSD Work Plan, and 
a proposal for a Trade and Environmental Sustainability Tool. Members also received an update on 
the progress made in the fo ur informal Working Groups (WGs). Members welcomed the 
announcement by Barbados to join TESSD, becoming its 75th co-sponsor.  
 
1 WAY  TOWARDS  THE 13TH WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE  
1.1.  The Co-conveners outlined possible outcomes for MC13, including a statement on trade and 
environmental sustainability by the Co-convenors, a recommendation for developing a digital trade 
and environmental sustainability tool as well as possible outcomes from th e four WGs. Possible 
outcomes from the WGs include d: (i) analytical summary of the work on environmental goods and 
services (EGS)  and renewable energy sectors , which identifie d key goods and services for renewable 
energy projects , barriers to their dissemi nation, topics of priority to developing countries , and the 
opportunities to promote and facilitate trade in these goods and services2; (ii) a document containing 
Member practices in the development of trade -related climate measures (T rCMs)3; (iii) a mapping 
exercise on the trade aspects of the circular economy along the lifecycle of products4; and 
(iv) possible compilation of experiences with subsidy design.  
1.2.  Members broadly expressed support for a statement, with several Members indicating their 
interest to engage on a draft with the Co-convenors. Several Members also expressed support for 
the suggested outcomes of the four WGs for MC13. A number of Members encouraged the 
Co-convenors to present these draft outcomes in the next meeting of the Committ ee on Trade and 
Environment ( CTE) to enhance inclusiveness and gather support from broader membership. A 
suggestion was made to prepare a summary of TESSD deliberations since MC12.  
1.3.  Recognizing the progress made in the four WGs, some Members pointed to oppo rtunities in 
bringing some aspects  of the work  to the CTE and strengthening linkages with other bodies such as 
the Committees on Trade Facilitation and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). One delegation  raised 
concerns regarding the transparency aspects of TESSD deliberations in the WGs.  
1.4.  Specific suggestions were also made on the draft outcomes from the WGs. With regard to the 
EGS analytical summary, several Members highlighted that it was a living document subject to 
further development. Suggestions included to reflect the dual -use nature  of certain goods, add a 
section on trade -facilitating elements, and consider regional efforts under Asia-Pacific Economic 
Cooperation (APEC) and the Singapore -Australia Green Economy Agreement , for example . On 
 
1 This summary, prepared and circulated under the Co -convenors' responsibility, provides a 
non-exhaustive, illustrative review of the issues addressed by speakers and Members at the event.  
2 INF/TE/SSD/W/24/Re v.1. 
3 INF/TE/SSD/W/25/Rev.1 . 
4 INF/TE/SSD/W/27 . INF/TE/SSD/R/1 8 
 
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  TrCMs, Members welcomed the compilation, and several noted that WTO -consistency should be fully 
ensured in designing those measures. On circularity, it was suggested to further elaborate on 
rationalizing trade restrictions, designing products for circularity, and the data to promote circular 
trade. T he importance of increasing participation of developing countries in all these efforts was also 
recognized.  
Update of the TESSD Work Plan 
1.5.  The Co-conveners recalled that the current Work Plan, launched in February 2022,  had been 
serving as a foundation for TESSD work.5 It was proposed that the Work Plan could be updated to 
better reflect the direction of TESSD discussions and to better address the needs of developing 
countries. It was proposed to finalize the update of the Work Plan during the plenary meeting in 
December so that it could be included in the MC13 package.  
1.6.  Members broadly welcomed the suggestion to update the Work Plan. Several Members noted 
that it was time to reflect on how TESSD work could add further value to the ongoing efforts to 
reinvigorate the CTE, including  to possible  thematic discussions  under the CTE . A number of 
Members suggested considering when and how to shift mature TESSD discussions to the multilateral 
setting . Some Members suggested cons idering organizing work around overarching themes 
(e.g. energy transition) and providing for a more coherent discussion on sectors that cut across 
working groups, while others felt comfortable with the current Work Plan. A suggest ion was made  
that a future TESSD Work Plan could focus on in -depth technical discussions, with longer  but less 
frequent meetings, and smaller informal groups to address a particular task.  
Proposal for a Trade and Environmental Sustainability Tool  
1.7.  The Co-conveners introduced a proposal that TESSD pursue the development of a digital tool 
aimed at fostering transparency and cooperation at the intersection of trade and environmental 
sustainability policy.6 It was noted that the tool would contain information on Members' p olicies and 
initiatives as well as experiences and good practices , analytical work by stakeholders , and relevant 
statistical and policy indicators.  Information could be structured to provide dedicated views by 
Member, by thematic area in line with the four  WGs, and by sector. It was proposed that a 
recommendation to develop a Trade and Environmental Sustainability Tool could be one of the MC13 
deliverables.  
1.8.  Several  Members requested  additional information regarding the value added for the 
development of su ch a tool and the type of information that would be included. Many stressed the 
importance of ensuring cost -effectiveness and finding ways to avoid duplications with other IT tools 
covering similar issues. Some  pointed to the possibility of expanding the e xisting Environmental 
Database  and the TESSD webpage . Some noted that any new tool should not result in greater 
administrative burden f or Members. Several also highlighted a possible challenge related to 
information asymmetry in terms of availability of content  by Member .  
1.9.  The Co-conveners indicated that the tool was intended to help delegations , particularly smaller  
ones,  facing capacity  constraints in accessing information related to trade and environmental 
sustainability, including good practices. The Secretariat clarified that the Environmental Database 
stemmed from the CTE Work programme  and its modifications would have to be agreed by the CTE. 
It was also clarified that , in view of budgetary constraints , the development of the proposed tool 
would have to be funded through extra -budgetary resources. The Co-convenors reiterated that it 
was up to TESSD participants to consider the feasibility of such  a proposal and that they would hold 
consultations with Members going forward.  
2  UPDATES ON PROGRESS IN THE INFORMAL WORKING GROUPS  
2.1.  The Co-convenors announced several changes in the composition of WG facilitators. They  
thanked facilitators leaving their roles and welcomed new facilitators, including Ben Rake 
(United  Kingdom) taking over from Helga Helland (Norway) in the WG on EGS; Ariel Marie Quek 
(Singapore) taking over from Göksu Tülümen (Türkiye)  in the WG on T rCMs; and Tiffany Smith 
(Israel) taking over from Sveinn Einarsso n (Iceland) in the WG on Subsidies.  Facilitators reported 
 
5 INF/TE/SSD/W/17/Rev.1 . 
6 INF/TE/SSD/W/28 . INF/TE/SSD/R/1 8 
 
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  on the discussions that took place in the TESSD WG meetings during 16 -17 March and 10 -11 May 
2023.7  
Environmental Goods and Services  (EGS)  
2.2.  The facilitators, Helga Helland (Norway) and Carlos Gueva ra (Ecuador), provided a summary 
of discussions that took place on 16 March and 10 May. It was noted that the discussions focused 
on the renewable energy sector, including solar, wind and hydro energy, and how trade in EGS could 
support climate adaptation and mitigation. It was noted that the discussions covered the 
identification of key goods and services for renewable energy projects, barriers to their 
dissemination, and developing country perspectives as well as opportunities and approaches to 
promote an d facilitate trade.   
2.3.  Regarding the way forward, the facilitators recalled the objective -based approach of the WG, 
where current discussions aimed at identifying how trade in environmental goods and services could 
help achieve climate change goals . They also welcomed the feedback provided on the draft analytical 
summary, underlining that this was a living document and encourag ed Members to contribute 
through written comments and/or in discussions. It was also noted that the next meeting would 
keep the foc us on renewable energy.  
2.4.  A number of Members  supported the continuation of the discussion on renewable energy with 
possible topics including hydrogen, biofuels, energy storage , and energy grids. One Member 
expressed interest in covering water, wastewater , and stormwater management technologies as a 
possible new sector after renewable energy.  The importance of bringing perspectives from 
developing countries was also highlighted. Members also suggested to deepen discussions on 
possible trade -facilitating meas ures and trade barriers, which would then also benefit the analytical 
summary. A suggestion was made to focus on the common barriers to trade identified and  discuss  
how this work could be move d forward  in regular Committees.  
Trade -related Climate Measures  
2.5.  The facilitators, Jean -Marie Meraldi (Switzerland)  and Ariel Marie Quek (Singapore), provided 
a summary of discussions focusing on iron and steel (16 March) and fertilizers (11 May), as well as 
on the  exchange of views on the development and implementation  process of T rCMs, including on 
transparency, consultations, stakeholder engagement, impact assessments , and guiding principles.  
Regarding the way  forward , the facilitators suggested to continue the current approach where part 
of the meeting was dedicated to sector -specific discussions,  with possible sectors being aluminium 
or cement,  and another part was dedicated to exchanges on the development of TrCMs.  
2.6.  A number of  Members  welcom ed the compilation of Member practices . Several Members 
expressed an interest to discuss in more depth how Members were implementing T rCMs and 
collaborat ing with trading partners. Some indicated the need to gather views of developing countries 
regarding difficulties in developing T rCMs as well as complying with T rCMs of trading partners. 
Several Members welcome d the sectoral approach taken, and a suggestion was made to hear from 
different multilateral initiatives working to advance decarbonization in industry. The importance of 
bringing this discussion back to the CTE was  also acknowledged.  
Circular Economy – Circularity  
2.7.  The co -facilitators, Olivia Cook (Chile) and Kazunari Morii (Japan), reported on progress in the 
Group's mapping exercise of trade -related aspects of circular economy  along the lifecycle of 
products, as well as sector -specific discussion focusing on batteries as essential components for 
renewable energy transformations  (17 March) and solar and wind energy components  (11 May). The 
co-facilitators highlighted several com mon themes, including the need for improving classification 
and data for circular trade, the role of standards and regulations on product design, transparency 
and traceability,  the importance of trade facilitation , and better implementation of the Basel 
Convention's Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedures. The importance of international collaboration 
and technical assistance to facilitate circular trade and avoid regulatory fragmentation was also 
highlighted. The co -facilitators suggested continuing sector -specific discussions, including on 
textiles. It was also noted that it may be possible to engage with the Committees on Trade 
 
7 Summaries of the clusters of WG meetings are contained in INF/TE/SSD/R/16  and INF/TE/SSD/R/17 . INF/TE/SSD/R/1 8 
 
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  Facilitation and TBT to advance horizontal discussions on trade facilitation as well as regulatory and 
design issues.  
2.8.  Several  Members welcomed the mapping exercise. A suggestion was made to further prioritize 
work,  continuing work on renewable energy , and possibly adding textiles as priority sector.  Another 
Member suggest ed to explore further the trade -facilitative impact of transp arency and traceability 
tools such as labelling  and digital product passports, and to look  at repairability requirements. It 
was also proposed for the next meeting to focus on trade facilitation to promote recycling and 
remanufacturing activities  and how t he multilateral trading system could support, or inhibit, trade 
in recyclable commodities and goods.  
Subsidies  
2.9.  The co -facilitators, Sveinn Einarsson (Iceland) and Mauro Bruno  (Uruguay), reported on the 
discussions of environmental effects and transparency  of agricultural subsidies (16  March) and 
subsidies related to  the transition to a low -carbon economy (10 May) , as well as Members' 
experience -sharing in the design of these subsidies. The co-facilitators  suggested  that a potential 
result for MC13 could be a compilation of experiences with subsidy design in the form of an outcome 
document reflecting the discussions. It was noted that a first draft of such compilation would be 
prepared for the next meeting. It was al so proposed to continue with a sectoral approach covering 
agricultural subsidies and subsidies to enhance the acceleration towards a low -carbon economy while 
simultaneously emphasizing the importance of transparency .  
2.10.   A number of Members intervened,  broadl y welcoming the discussions on agricultur al and 
low-carbon transition subsidies. Several noted that TESSD discussions on agricultural subsidies 
should consider progress in this area in other organizations. Some Members pointed to the 
importance of having a  common understanding on what constitute d environmentally  harmful 
subsidies in agriculture, while another Member underlined that under the Kunming -Montreal Global 
Biodiversity Framework  each country would itself define what constituted environmentally harm ful 
subsidies. A suggestion was also made to focus on environmentally beneficial subsidies, including 
the scope of such subsidies in domestic contexts, i.e. subsidies encouraging  consumers to purchase 
energy efficient home goods or heating/cooling systems . It was also recognized that subsidies for 
the low -carbon  transition should be WTO -consistent.  
Concluding remarks by the Co -convenors  and next steps 
2.11.   The Co-convenors, Ambassador Nadia Theodore (Canada) and Ambassador Ronald Saborío 
(Costa Rica) , recalled that TESSD had started because there were important discussions on trade 
and environment which had not been taking place within  the WTO. They noted  that ensuring 
multilateralization of mature aspects  of the TESSD discussion s should be considered as a success. 
If some TESSD work could be transferred to the CTE, this might be an opportunity for  Members to 
look for new topics or elements of the current work which would deserve more in-depth discussion.  
It was also underlined  that the proposed MC13 pa ckage would demonstrate the progress achieved 
over the past two years and aim ed at supporting greater participation of developing countries and 
LDCs. It was also noted that the tentative schedule of meetings for the second semester would be 
as follows: the  meetings of  the WG s would take place on 19 -20 September and 21 -22 November, 
to be followed by a plenary on 12 December.  
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