INF/TE/SSD/W/17  
 
31 January 2022  
(22-0770) Page: 1/2 
 Original: English  
 
 
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRUCTURED DISCUSSIONS  (TESSD)  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE TESSD  COORDINATORS  
The following communication, dated 31 January 2022 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of Canada and Costa Rica ( TESSD Coordinators ). 
 
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DRAFT TESSD WORK PLAN 2022  
1.1  This work plan is intended to outline the implementation of the operational part of the TESSD 
Ministerial S tatement on Trade and Environmental Sustainability (WT/MIN(21)/6/Rev.2).  
1.2  As outlined in the Roadmap, five formal TESSD meetings will be held in 2022. The main purpose 
of the meeting on 7 February is to adopt this work plan. Further substantive meetings are scheduled 
to be held in April, July and October. The meeting in July will take stock of implementation status of 
the Ministerial Statement and the need to adapt the work plan to achieve full implementation of this 
Ministerial Statement. In Dec ember, a high -level stocktaking event will be held to review progress 
achieved (notably identification of good practices, voluntary actions and partnerships in the relevant 
areas) and adopt next steps towards MC13.  
1.3  Formal meetings  of the TESSD will be open  to all interested WTO Members. Members can 
contribute their views and experiences in respective thematic work areas during each meeting. In 
order to allow for more in -depth discussions and make progress towards tangible outcomes, 
Members will form working  groups to advance work intersessionally through informal discussions or 
workshops among co -sponsors. Informal w orking groups  will be led by facilitators in an inclusive 
and transparent way, and in coordination with the co -convenors. The thematic areas of work covered 
by formal TESSD meetings and the guiding questions for working groups can be found in the work 
plan below.  
1.4  Stake holders from academia, international organizations, civil society, NGOs and the business 
community will be invited to contribute to formal TESSD meetings. The inputs of stakeholders are 
intended to enhance discussions through technical expertise, experienc e and transparency.  
 
   
  INF/TE/SSD/W/17  
- 2 - 
 
 
- 2 - DRAFT TESSD WORK PLAN 2022  
High -level Stocktaking Event – tentative date: 1-2 December  
Formal TESSD Meetings – tentative dates: 31 March -1 April; 19 -20 July; 26-27 October  
Thematic work areas  • Dedicated discussions on trade -related climate measures and policies (Par a. 2) 
• Promoting and facilitating trade in environmental goods and services (EGS) (Par a. 3 and Par a. 4.(iii))  
• Achieving a more resource -efficient circular economy (Par a. 4.(i))  
• Promoting sustainable supply chains and addressing challenges and opportunities arising from the use of sustainability 
standards and related measures, in particular for developing Members (Par a. 4.(ii))*  
• Challenges and opportunities for sustainable trade – capacity building and technical assistance (Aid for Trade) (Par a. 5)* 
• Environmental effects and trade impacts of relevant subsidies (Par a. 6)* 
Informal Working Groups – tentative dates: 14 -15 March; 17 -18 May; 27 -28 September  
1. Trade related climate 
measures  • Which trade -related climate measures are currently in place, and what are their respective trade implications?  
• Can we identify best practices in the development of trade -related climate measures to maximize climate benefits  while 
also maximizing  trade benefits ?  
• How do we identify and address the challenges for MSMEs, including those operating in a Member whose level of 
development makes the integration of trade -related climate measures challenging?  
2. Environmental goods 
and services  • What elements and criteria can be used to define environmental goods and services in view of environment and climate 
goals?  
• Which policy tools hinder trade in sustainable goods and services and how can these be addressed? Which policies facilitate 
sustainable trade?  
• What ch allenges exist for Members in engaging in sustainable trade , including in sustainable agriculture,  and how can 
those be addressed? What trade policy tools could aid in maximizing the benefits of sustainable trade for developing and 
LDC members ? 
3. Circular economy - 
circularity  • What barriers exist to the creation of efficient supply chains for scrap or material for remanufacture? How can those 
barriers be addressed?  
• What trade policy tools could be deployed to incentivize greater resource efficiency ? 
• What types of measures could help developing and LDC Members to integrate into global circular supply chains?  
*A number of issues pertaining to the thematic work areas of sustainable supply chains/sustainability standards (Par a. 4.(ii)), sustainable tra de/development (Par a. 5) and 
subsidies (Par a. 6) are cross -cutting and relevant aspects might also be included in discussions of working groups.  
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