WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
12 November 2019  
(19-7665) Page: 1/18 
Committee on Trade and Environment    
 
 
ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE FOR 2018 
NOTE BY THE SECRETAR IAT1 
1. The WTO Environmental Database (EDB)  is prepared in response to a recommendation in the 
1996 Report of the Committee on Trade and Environment (WT/CTE/1)  for the Secretariat to compile 
and update annually all environment -related notifications to the WTO.2 3  
2. In October 2018, a new web -based EDB application  was developed. The new web -based EDB 
is available through the WTO website:  https://www.wto.org/edb  or through the URL address:  
https://edb.wto.org/ .4  
3. Information in the EDB for 2018 is drawn from the 4,225 notifications  submitted by WTO 
Members and the 16 TPRs circulated  in 2018. The full data set for 2018 can be accessed  at: 
https://edb.wto.org/search?field_year%5B%5D=2018&search_api_fulltext=&field_ics_hs_code=&t
ype=notification .  
4. This note is a summary report of the  underlying data contained in the new EDB web -
application. It covers information on: (i) environment -related measures notified under  WTO 
Agreements and notification obligations (Section 1); and (ii) environment -related measures 
mentioned in Trade Policy Reviews (TPRs)  (Section  2).  
 
_______________  
  
                                              
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice to 
the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
2 Previous Environmental Databases have been circulated in the following documents: EDB 1996 in 
WT/CTE/W/46, EDB 1997 in WT/CTE/W/77, EDB 1998 in WT/CTE/W/118, EDB  1999 in WT/CTE/W/143,  
EDB 2000 in WT/CTE/W/195, EDB 2001 in WT/CTE/EDB/1, EDB 2002 in WT/CTE/EDB/2, EDB 2003 in 
WT/CTE/EDB/3, EDB 2004 in WT/CTE/EDB/4, EDB 2005 in WT/CTE/EDB/5, EDB 2006 in WT/CTE/EDB/6, 
EDB 2007 in WT/CTE/EDB/7, EDB 2008 in WT/CTE/EDB/8, EDB 2009 in WT/CTE/ED B/9 and Add.1, EDB 2010 
in WT/CTE/EDB/10 and Add.1, EDB 2011 in  WT/CTE/EDB/11 and Add.1, EDB 2012 in  WT/CTE/EDB/12 and 
Add.1 , EDB 201 3 in WT/CTE/EDB/1 3 and Add.1 , EDB 201 4 in WT/CTE/EDB/1 4 and Add.1 , EDB 201 5 
in WT/CTE/EDB/1 5 and Add.1 , EDB 201 6 in WT/CTE/EDB/1 6 and Add.1  and EDB 201 7 in WT/CTE/EDB/1 7. 
3 The list of key words is contained in Annex I to this document. See also the following documents 
containing information on search words: WT/CTE/W/46, W T/CTE/W/78 and WT/CTE/W/102.  
4 Users are inv ited to access EDB directly from the web -based application which contains data from 2009 
to 2018. More data will be uploaded to the database as and when ready.  WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
1   WTO NOTIFICATION S ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 3 
2   INFORMATION CONT AINED IN TRADE POLIC Y REVIEWS ................................ .............  8 
3   ANNEXES  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  14 
Annex I – EDB Keywords  ................................ ................................ ................................ ......14 
Annex II - Number of Environment -related Notifications (1997 – 2018) ................................ .....15 
Annex III - EDB Harmonized Categories ................................ ................................ ................. 17 
 
TABLE OF CHARTS  
Chart 1.1 - Environment -related Notifications (1997 – 2018)  ................................ ...................  3 
Chart 1.2 - Environment -related Notifica tions by Members (2018)  ................................ ............  4 
Chart 1.3 - Environment -related Notifications by Agreement (2018)  ................................ .........  5 
Chart 1.4 - Types of Environment -related Objectives identified in the EDB (2018)  ......................  6 
Chart 1.5 - Type of Measures identified in the EDB (2018)  ................................ .......................  7 
Chart 1.6 - Type of Sectors identified in the EDB (2018)  ................................ ..........................  8 
Chart 2.1 - Types of Environment -related Measures Mentioned in TPRs (2018)  ........................  12 
Chart 2.2 - Sectors Covered by E nvironment -related Entries Mentioned in TPRs (2018)  ............  13 
 
 
 
 
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  WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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  1  WTO NOTIFICATIONS  
1.1.  In 2018, of the 4,225 notifications submitted by WTO Members,5 15.7% or 663 notifications 
were environment -related. Since 1997, there has been a sustained increase in the number of 
environment -related notifications to the WTO. The share of environment -related notifications as a 
percentage of total notifications has also almost doubled over the same time period albeit with year -
on-year fluctuations (see Chart 1.1).6 
Chart 1.1 - Environment -related Notifications (1997 – 2018)  
 
1.2.  Environment -related notifications have been submitted by WTO Members from all regions of 
the world and at all levels of development. Eighty -eight Members submitted notifications of 
environment -related measures, with the European Union ( 84 notifications ), the United  States ( 63), 
Rwanda  (45), China ( 31) and Uganda (27) notifying the highest number of environment -related 
notifications in 2018. 
  
                                              
5 This number includes regular notifications, as well as addenda, corrigenda and revisions, exce pt in the 
case of TBT and SPS notifications where addenda  and corrigenda are not covered.  
6 The drop in total number and share of environment -related notifications in 2014 can be partially 
explained by a change in methodology regarding environment -related SPS notifications.  
8.1%11.3%
9.2%10.7%
7.8%11.3%
9.8%10.8%10.8%14.7%
13.5%13.4%14.5%
13.2%15.8%16.8%17.5%
14.6%14.6%15.4%15.9%
15.7%
165211
182245
186281
247
244311357
353395481
453477568620
551
498575602663
050100150200250300350400450500550600650700
0.000.100.200.300.400.50
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Proportion of Environment-related Notifications Total Environment-related NotificationsWT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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  Chart 1.2 - Environment -related Notifications by Members ( 2018) 
 
WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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1.3.  Chart 1.3 illustrates the incidence of environment -related notifications across  
WTO Agreements.7 As in previous years, the TBT Agreement has the highest number of 
environment -related notifications ( 483), accounting for 73% of all WTO environment -related 
notifications in 2018. A number of environment -related measures were also notified under the 
Agreement on Agriculture  (49 notifications ), the SPS Agreement ( 40), the Agreement on Import 
Licensing Procedures ( 30), Quantitati ve restrictions (18) and the SCM Agreement (18) .8 Charts on 
the environment -related notifications and measures by WTO Agreements can be accessed from the 
EDB web -application.9 
Chart 1.3 - Environment -related N otifications by Agreement ( 2018)  
 
 
1.4.  The environment -related notifications can be broadly grouped into two categories. The first 
consists of notifications that mention environmental considerations as the principal objective of the 
                                              
7 In 2018, environment -related notifications were identified under the following WTO Agreements: 
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT); Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures (SPS); Agreement on Subs idies and Countervailing Measures (SCM); Agreement on Agriculture  (AG); 
Agreement on Implementation of Article VI of the GATT 1994 (Anti -dumping (ADP)); Agreement on Import 
Licensing Procedures (ILP); Agreement on Safeguards (SG); Understanding on the Inte rpretation of Article XVII 
of the GATT 1994 (State Trading Enterprises  (STR) ); the Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XXIV of 
the GATT 1994  (Regional Trade Agreements  (RTAs) ); the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS); 
Decision on Notif ication Procedures for Quantitative Restrictions (QR s); Agreement on Trade -Related Investment 
Measures  (TRIMS); Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA);  and the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) . 
8 In 2018, no environment -related notifications were submitted under the following WTO Agreements: 
Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT  1994  (Customs Valuation (VAL)); Agreement on 
Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS);  the Understanding on the Balance -of-Payments 
(BOP) Provisions of GAT T 1994 ; Agreement on Pre -shipment Inspection  (PSI);  Agreement on Rules of Origin  
(RO);  Informa tion Technology Agreement (ITA); and other notifications such as preferential trade arrangements 
notified to the Committee on Trade and Development  (CTD).  
9 https://edb.wto.org/notifications  
ADP, 2, 0%
AG, 49, 7%GATS , 1, 0%
GPA, 3, 0%
ILP, 30, 5%
QR, 18, 3%
RTAs , 5, 1%
SCM, 18, 3%
SG, 2, 0%
SPS, 40, 6%
STR, 4, 1%
TBT, 483, 73%TFA, 6, 1%TRIMS , 2, 0%WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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  notified measure. The second category includes notifications t hat are not primarily aimed at 
environmental protection, but contain environment -related elements.  
1.5.  Furthermore, some notifications are made separately for each and every measure (such as 
most notifications under the TBT or SPS  Agreements) while others cov er various or multiple 
measures in a single notification (such as SCM or agriculture notifications). In the latter case, the 
various measures are broken down and reported separately in the database.  
1.6.  There were 1,363 separate EDB environment -related measure s included from the 663 
environment -related notifications in 2018. The TBT Agreement reported the highest number with 
483 environment -related measures, followed by the SCM Agreement ( 289), the Agreement on 
Agriculture ( 238), notifications on Quantitative R estrictions (156), and the Import Licensing 
Procedures Agreement with 115 environment -related measures.10 
1.7.  The environment -related measures mentioned in the 2018 notifications addressed a range of 
environmental objectives (see Chart 1.4), including chemical,  toxic and hazardous substances 
management ( 22.4%), energy conservation and efficiency ( 10.6%), alternative and renewable 
energy (10. 2%), general environmental protection ( 9.9%), and the Multilateral Environmental 
Agreements  (MEAs ) implementation and compl iance  (9.0%). 
Chart 1.4 - Types of Environment -related Objectives11 identified in the EDB (2018)12  
 
 
1.8.  In terms of types of measure (see Chart 1.5), technical regulation or specifications accounted 
for the largest share in the 2018 notifications ( 38.6%), followed by grants and direct payments  
                                              
10 In 2018, trade remedy measures (antidumping, safeguards, countervailing measures) have only been 
included in the EDB if the environment -related hit pertains to the WTO Member making the notification.  
11 See Annex III for a list of the harmonized categorie s by types of measures, objectives or sectors.  
12 Since more than one environmental objective /measure/sector  can be mentioned in a notified measure, 
the total number may exceed 100 %. 
31326283145486773738182849193109111114120122122135139144305
0.22%0.95%1.91%2.05%2.27%3.30%3.52%4.92%5.36%5.36%5.94%6.02%6.16%6.68%6.82%8.00%8.14%8.36%8.80%8.95%8.95%9.90%10.20%10.56%22.38%
Sustainable mining managementAfforestation/reforestationEnvironmentally friendly consumptionSustainable forestry managementOther environmental risks mitigationSustainable fisheries managementOzone layer protectionSustainable agriculture managementEnvironmental protection from pests and diseasesEnvironmental goods and services promotionNatural resources conservationClimate change mitigation and adaptationAir pollution reductionPlant protectionSustainable and environmentally friendly productionSoil management and conservationWater management and conservationWaste management and recyclingBiodiversity and ecosystemMEAs implementation and complianceAnimal protectionGeneral environmental protectionAlternative and renewable energyEnergy conservation and efficiencyChemical, toxic and hazardous substances managementWT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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  (18.5%), conformity assessment procedures (17.5%), ban/prohibitions (11.1%), and import 
licences  (10.9%).  
Chart 1.5 - Type of Measures13 identified in the EDB (201 8)14 
 
 
1.9.  In the sectoral analysis (Chart 1.6), the sector that was most frequently associated with 
environment -related measures in 2018 was agriculture wit h 30.1% of all the identified measures, 
followed by manufacturing ( 26.3%), chemicals ( 19.1%), and energy ( 13.9%). Sectors such as 
wildlife or waste are captured under the heading "Other" and accounted for 16.1% of the total 
measures.  
  
                                              
13 The harmonized categories "type of measures" and "type of sectors" were updated in EDB 2014. See 
Annex III for a list of the harmonized categories by types of measures, objectives or sectors.  
14 Since more than one environmental objective /measure/sector  can be mentioned in a notified measure, 
the total number may exceed 100 %. 
0.07%0.07%0.07%0.15%0.15%0.22%0.22%0.22%0.29%0.29%0.29%0.37%0.51%0.73%0.81%0.81%0.81%1.32%2.42%2.42%3.37%5.06%8.44%9.54%10.86%11.08%17.53%18.49%38.59%
1112233344457101111111833334669115130148151239252526
Countervailing measure /…Internal taxesServices requirementsSafeguard measure / investigationExport tariffsExport quotasPublic procurementAnti-dumping measure /…Import tariffsOther measuresIncome or price supportEnvironmental provisions in trade…Quarantine requirementsOther environmental requirementsRisk assessmentImport quotasOther support measuresNot specifiedRegulation affecting movement or…Investment measuresLoans and financingExport licencesTax concessionsNon-monetary supportImport licencesBan/ProhibitionConformity assessment proceduresGrants and direct paymentsTechnical regulation or…WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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  Chart 1.6 - Type of Sectors15 identified in the EDB (201 8)16 
 
 
1.10.  Further infographics, charts and EDB notification data can be accessed from the EDB web -
based interface available through the WTO website: https://www.wto.org/edb .  
2  INFORMATION CONTAINE D IN TRADE POLICY RE VIEWS  
2.1.  The E DB covers information on the environment -related policies, measures or programmes 
contained in the Secretariat and Government T PR reports. Sixteen TPRs were circulated in 2018, 
namely (in alphabetical order):  Armenia; China; Colombia; Egypt; Guinea; Hong  Kong, China; 
Israel; Mauritania; Montenegro; Nepal; Norway; Philippines; Chinese Taipei; United S tates; 
Uruguay; and Vanuatu.  
2.2.  There were  847 entries with references to environment -related policies, measures or sectors 
in these TPRs.17 The environment -related  TPR entries are reported under the headings: trade policy 
framework; trade policies and practices by measure; and trade policies by sector. In general, trade 
policy framework entries include information on government environmental policies, plans, 
program mes and investment policies. Environment -related trade policies and practices by measure 
include environmental requirements and quantitative restrictions (QRs) (e.g. technical regulation or 
specifications, conformity assessment procedures, import/export li cences, bans and prohibitions); 
price and market based measures (e.g. import/export tariffs, import/export quotas, and internal 
taxes); and support measures (e.g. grants and direct payments, loans and financing, tax 
concessions, non -monetary support measur es, income or price support, and public procurement). 
The environment -related sectors mentioned in the 2018 TPRs include agriculture, chemicals, energy, 
fisheries, forestry, manufacturing, mining, services, and others.  
                                              
15 The harmonized categories "type of measures" and "type of sectors" were updated in EDB 2014. See 
Annex III for a list of the harmonized categories by types of measures, objectives or  sectors.  
16 Since more than one environmental objective /measure/sector  can be mentioned in a notified measure, 
the total number may exceed 100 %. 
17 The number of environment -related TPR entries corresponds to the number of times particular 
environment -related policies, measures or programmes are mentioned in the Secretariat or Government TPR 
Reports.  
0.66%1.91%2.42%3.23%4.11%10.05%13.94%16.07%19.15%26.27%30.08%
926334456137190219261358410
MiningAll products/
economic activitiesNot specifiedForestryFisheriesServicesEnergyOtherChemicalsManufacturingAgricultureWT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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  2.3.  The TPR of Armenia18 includes 42  environment -related entries. Examples of the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include Armenia and the European Union's Comprehensive and 
Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2017  and its harmonization of regulations that 
cover s a number of se ctors such as  agriculture, transport, and the energy sector , as well as  the 
environment . On environment -related measures, the TPR entries cover, inter alia : environmental 
taxes charged to both Eurasian Economic Union  (EAEE) members and to non -EAEU members;  and 
import licence requirements on some products such as phyto -protection chemicals for environmental 
reasons. In the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries include, inter alia : Armenia 's Renewable Resources 
and Energy Efficiency (R2E2) Fund  to promote the us e of renewable energy ; and the Mining Code 
that requires for  companies mining metal ores and producers of metal ore concentrates and smelting 
products  to make payments to the nature and environment preservation fund.  
2.4.  The TPR of the China19 includes  89 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include : China's policy based on environmental and over -capacity  
considerations  to reduce carbon dioxide emission s and to increase natural gas consumption . On 
environment -related measures, the TPR entries cover, inter alia : both export and import licence 
requirements on substances that deplete the ozone layer ; financial support (e.g. tax preferences, 
direct transfers, and access to credit ) to protect the en vironment, reduce emissions, and conserve 
energy; and public procurement of environmentally friendly products. In the sectoral analysis, the 
TPR entries include, inter alia , China Manufacturing 2025 plan, which includes strategies for energy 
saving and new -energy vehicle s industries.  
2.5.  The TPR of Colombia20 includes 42 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include the government’s National Development Plan that encompasses 
the country's sustainable development goals. On environment -related measures, the TPR entries 
cover, inter alia : regulations affecting transit of goods on environmental grounds ; internal taxes 
levied on fossil fuels according to their carbon content  and taxes on the consumption of plastic bags , 
both imported and domestic. In the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries include: work within the WTO 
framework to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing; the promotion of the use of 
non-conventional energy sources (e.g. solar, wind, geothermal a nd biomass); and eco -tourism 
services that has been exempted from value -added tax since 2013.  
2.6.  The TPR of the Egypt21 includes 72 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include: the four -year Industrial Development S trategy that covers 
energy conservation. On environment -related measures, the TPR entries cover, inter alia : the 
government fund that is geared towards research and development in  priority areas, such as 
environmental technologies; and no patent grants to innovations causing severe damage to the 
environment. In the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries mention, inter alia : the challenges faced by 
agricultural sector to adapt to climate change; a general overhaul of the basic fishing legislation to 
protect fish  stocks, such as imprisonment and/or fine penalty in case of illegal fishing; and the 
promotion of green tourism.  
2.7.  The TPR of Guinea22 includes 50 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy framework 
entries in the TPR include:  Guinea’s commitments under international treaties on electricity, as well 
as its laws and draft regulations on energy efficiency. On environment -related measures, th e TPR 
entries cover, inter alia , tax concessions for investment in urban and industrial waste processing. In 
the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries include, inter alia : the shared goal of conservation, 
development and rational exploitation of fisheries res ources at the regional level; effort s to counter 
the impact of mining operations on the environment as listed in the Mining Code and the Environment 
Code; and the implementation of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme launched by 
the Economi c Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to sustainably improve agricultural 
productivity.  
2.8.  The TPR of Hong Kong, China23 includes 41 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include : the government’s active partici pation and support for the 
                                              
18 WT/TPR/G/379 and WT/TPR/S/379.  
19 WT/TPR/G/375 and WT/TPR/S/375/Rev.1.  
20 WT/TPR/G/372 and WT/TPR/S/372/Rev.1.  
21 WT/TPR/G/367 and WT/TPR/S/367/Rev.4.  
22 WT/TPR/G /370 and WT/TPR/S/370/Rev.1.  
23 WT/TPR/G/380 and WT/TPR/S/380.  WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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  plurilateral Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) negotiations. On environment -related measures, 
the TPR entries cover, inter alia : a number of tax incentives offered to electrical vehicles and 
environment -friendly commercial vehi cles; and import licensing requirements on goods, such as 
ozone -depleting substances, endangered species of animals and plants, and waste. In the sectoral 
analysis, the TPR entries mention, inter alia : the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund to improve 
the operating environment in the fisher ies sector; and Hong Kong, China’s target to reduce carbon 
emissions with renewable energy and energy saving.  
2.9.  The TPR of Israel24 includes 29 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy framework 
entries in the  TPR include the government’s “Israel NewTech”  national program focused on water 
and renewable energy technologies. On environment -related measures, the TPR entries cover, inter 
alia: the export licensing and approval (permit) schemes for selected products  pursuant to Israel's 
commitments under international agreements and for conservation purposes ; the application and 
approval requirement s for genetically modified organism s (GMO s) to legally enter the food supply 
system in Israel; and the accelerated fast track for 'green' patent applications . In the sectoral 
analysis, the TPR entries include Israel’s energy policy aimed at ensuring energy security and the 
established targets for renewable energy generation pursuant to the Paris Agreement.   
2.10.  The TPR of Mauritania25 includes 24 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include: the drawing up of Mauritania's future vision for 2030, taking 
account  of the challenges of sustainable development and environmental protection. On 
environment -related measures, the TPR entries cover, inter alia : the investment code which provides  
for concluding agreements with substantial investment in the generation of re newable (wind and 
solar) energy. In the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries include: the government’s new national 
strategy for responsible and sustainable fisheries sector management; and the National Agricultural 
Development Plan prepared in 2013 with the  aim of developing sustainable crop farming.  
2.11.  The TPR of Montenegro26 includes 78 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy 
framework entries in the TPR cover: the National Strategy for Sustainable Development that aims 
to improve national policy for sustainable development  until 2030 ; and the objectives of EU 
Instrument for Pre -Accession Assistance to align with the EU acquis  in different policy fields, 
including energy  and environment . On environment -related measures, the TPR entries cover, 
inter alia: import licensing requirements to meet commitments under international conventions, to 
which Montenegro is a signatory (e.g. CITES); and mandatory labelling regulation for all GMOs. In 
the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries include: the Transpor t Development Strategy 2008 to 2018 to 
minimize the harmful impacts to the environment while developing Montenegro’s transport system.  
2.12.  The TPR of Nepal27 includes 39 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy framework 
entries in the TPR include the Environment Protection Act 1997 and the Environment Protection 
Rules 1997 that affect the legal basis for Foreign Direct Investment . On environment -related 
measures, the TPR entries cover, inter alia : import licences for ozone -depleting substan ces; and the 
50% tax concession for renewable energy (e.g. hydropower, solar energy, waste -to-energy, and 
wind turbine) projects. In the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries  include : Nepal’s mining and 
quarrying policy objectives to make the mining sector mo re sustainable and environmentally friendly 
with the help of new and innovative technology; and the Agriculture Development Strategy with a 
vision for a sustainable agriculture sector.  
2.13.  The TPR of Norway28 includes 88 environment -related entries. Examples of  the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include : the “Globalisation and trade” White Paper, which emphasized 
the importance of promoting green growth and taking climate change and environmental 
considerations into account in trade policies and agreements.  On environment -related measures, 
the TPR entries cover, inter alia : loans, grants, or guarantees such as the environmental technology 
scheme, bioenergy programme, and bio refinement programme; and the technical regulation on 
hazardous substance s in consum er products. In the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries include: 
Norway’s agricultural and food policy objectives focused on sustainable agriculture with lower 
                                              
24 WT/TPR/G/376 and WT/TPR/S/376/Rev.1  
25 WT/TPR/G/371 and WT/TPR/S/371/Rev.1.  
26 WT/TPR/G/369 and WT/TPR/S/369/Rev.3.  
27 WT/TPR/G/381 and WT/TPR/S/381.  
28 WT/TPR/G/373 and WT/TPR/S/373.  WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
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  emissions of greenhouse gases; and the government’s policies that stressed the importance of 
sustainability of fish stocks.  
2.14.  The TPR of Philippines29 includes 45 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include: the Philippine Development Plan 2017 -2022 that also covers 
environmental resource protection and conser vation; and the government’s participation in the Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)  Environmental Good s List tariff reduction initiative. On 
environment -related measures, the TPR entries cover, inter alia : local content requirements for 
gasoline, wh ich must have a minimum content of locally produced biofuel and biodiesel; and the 
export license requirement for used lead acid batteries. In the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries 
include: Philippines' National Tourism Development Plan to develop an environmentally sustainable 
and socially responsible tourism industry; and the government's support to reverse over -capacity 
and over -fishing for a sustainable fisheries sector.  
2.15.  The TPR of Chinese Taipei30 includes 81 e nvironment -related entries. Examples o f the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include: the  Five-Plus-Two Industries Innovation Plan , which relates 
to the circular economy; and the government's active participation in the EGA negotiations. On 
environment -related measures, the TPR entries cove r, inter alia : the investment measures for water 
conservation and to curb air pollution; and loans granted to small and medium -sized enterprises for 
recovery plans from damage caused by disasters. In the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries include: 
the impl ementation of greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and development spending on the 
green energy sector.  
2.16.  The TPR of the United States of America31 includes 53 environment -related entries. Examples 
of the policy framework entries in the TPR include : the goals of US trade negotiations , inter alia , to 
ensure that trade and environmental policies are mutually supportive and to seek provisions in trade 
agreements that do not weaken or reduce the protections afforded in domestic environmental laws. 
On environ ment-related measures, the TPR entries cover, inter alia : reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements for 13 at -risk imported seafood products to deter seafood fraud and IUU fishing; and 
federal excise taxes levied on ozone -depleting chemicals, certain chloro fluorocarbons  and related 
chemicals. In the sectoral analysis, the TPR entries include: the Maritime Administration's mission 
to improve, strengthen and promote the maritime transportation system to meet environmental 
needs; the government's effort s to encourage investment in the renewable energy sector, the 
purchase of energy -efficient appliances, and the energy efficiency upgrades of residential buildings.  
2.17.  The TPR of Uruguay32 includes 41 environment -related entries. The policy framework entries 
in the TPR include : the National Development Strategy 2050, which set s long-term economic and 
social guidelines, and targets for sustainable development. On environment -related measures, the 
TPR entries cover , inter alia : the environmental impact assessment o f the Single Window for Foreign 
Trade (VUCE); tax concessions granted to renewable energy; and the government's monitoring o f 
environmental pollutants in agricultural facilities and in industrial plants processing products of 
animal origin . In the  sectoral  analysis, the TPR entries include: Policy Guidelines of the Institutional 
Framework for Agriculture 2015 -2019, which aims to ensure sustainability in soil use and to improve 
water management in the agriculture sector; and Uruguay's attempt to source energ y from 
renewable sources (e.g. wind and solar).  
2.18.  The TPR of Vanuatu33 includes 33 environment -related entries. Examples of the policy 
framework entries in the TPR include : maintaining a pristine natural environment on land and at sea 
with enhanced resilience  and adaptive capacity to climate change and natural disasters. On 
environment -related measures, the TPR entries cover, inter alia : investment measures that may 
require the investor to submit an environment impact assessment; and export license requirement s 
on sandalwood, aquarium fish, coconut crabs, rock lobsters, and sea cucumbers. In the sectoral 
analysis, the TPR entries include : Vanuatu's National Energy Road Map for the provision of clean 
energy services amongst others; and the government's specific commitments under t he General 
                                              
29 WT/TPR/G/368/Rev.1 and WT/TPR/S/368/Rev.1.  
30 WT/TPR/G/377 and WT/TPR/S/377.  
31 WT/TPR/G/382 and WT/TPR/S/382.  
32 WT/TPR/G/374 and WT/TPR/S/374/Rev.1.  
33 WT/TPR/G/378 and WT/TPR/S/378.  WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
- 12 - 
 
  Agreement on Trade in Services ( GATS) in environmental services sectors (e.g. sewage, refuse 
disposal, and sanitation and similar services).  
2.19.  To illustrate the range of TPR entries, Chart 2.1  below provides a detailed breakdown of the 
types of environment -related measures reported in the TPRs. Apart from general environmental 
references, the e nvironment -related measures most frequently mentioned in the TPRs of 201 8 
include  technical regulation or spe cifications (9.0%), ban/prohibition (8.7%), other environmental 
requirements (7.3%), tax concessions (6.2%), grants and direct payments (5.3%), import licences 
(4.7%), loans and financing (3.6%), investment measures (3.3%)  and internal taxes (3.1%).  
Chart 2.1 - Type s of Environment -related Measures Mentioned in TPRs (201 8)  
 
2.20.  Regarding environment -related trade policies by sector, the most frequently mentioned 
sectors in the 2018 TPRs were energy ( 23.6%), follo wed by agriculture ( 15.5%), manufacturing 
(13.2%)  and fisheries ( 11.3%) (see Chart 2 .2). 
Ban/Prohibition , 75, 
8.65%
Conformity assessment 
procedures , 25, 2.88%
Environmental provisions in trade 
agreements , 12, 1.38%
Export licences , 24, 2.77%
General environmental 
reference , 185, 21.34%
Grants and direct 
payments , 46, 5.31%
Import licences , 41, 4.73%
Import/export quotas , 4, 
0.46%
Import/export tariffs , 4, 0.46%Income or price support , 19, 2.19%Intellectual property measures , 9, 
1.04%Internal taxes , 27, 3.11%Investment measures , 29, 3.34%Loans and financing , 31, 3.58%Non-monetary support , 22, 2.54%Not specified , 10, 1.15%Other environmental 
requirements , 63, 7.27%Other measures , 21, 2.42%Other price and market 
based measures , 12, 1.38%Other support measures , 
22, 2.54%Public procurement , 18, 
2.08%Quarantine requirements , 
4, 0.46%Regulation affecting movement 
or transit , 4, 0.46%Risk assessment , 24, 
2.77%Tax concessions , 54, 
6.23%Technical regulation or 
specifications , 78, 9.00%Trade remedies , 4, 0.46%WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Chart 2.2 - Sectors Covered by Environment -related Entrie s Mentioned in TPRs ( 2018)  
 
 
2.21.  The information provided above is only illustrative to highlight the wide range and depth of 
data available in the EDB. Further infographics, charts and EDB TPR data can be accessed from the 
EDB web -based interface available through the WTO website: https://www.wto.org/edb . 
_______________
  
Agriculture , 131, 15%
All products/economic 
activities , 45, 5%
Chemicals , 61, 7%
Energy , 200, 24%
Fisheries , 96, 11%Forestry , 52, 6%Manufacturing , 112, 
13%Mining , 25, 3%Not specified , 18, 2%Other , 75, 9%Services , 42, 5%WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
- 14 - 
 
  3  ANNEXES  
Annex I – EDB Keywords1  
Keywords  
Bio Fish Ozone  
Clean  Forest  Pollution  
Climate  Genetic  Recycle  
Conservation  Green  Renewable  
Desertification  Hazardous  Soil 
Eco Indigenous  Sustainable  
Emissions  Labelling  Waste  
Endangered  MEAs  Wildlife  
Energy  Natural resources   
Environment  Organic   
 
                                              
1 See also the following documents containing information on search words: WT/CTE/W/46, WT/CTE/W/78 
and WT/CTE/W/102.   
  WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
- 15 - Annex II - Number of Environment -related Notifications1 (1997 – 2018 ) 
WTO Agreements  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  
TBT 89 (795)  98 (648)  83 (671)  97 (610)  67 (539)  114 (582)  100 (794)  107 (638)  121 (771)  155 (874)  168 (1032)  238 (1265)  
SPS 8 (286)  21 (296)  12 (402)  26 (402)  25 (621)  47 (610)  50 (687)  57 (612)  105 (1298)  140 (901)  98 (849)  84 (889)  
SCM 16 (136)  32 (133)  27 (126)  38 (160)  24 (159)  31 (177)  34 (171)  13 (122)  27 (168)  8 (97)  33 (164)  5 (99) 
A griculture  20 (237)  22 (216)  27 (195)  40 (228)  40 (242)  32 (197)  34 (173)  29 (157)  25 (148)  24 (126)  32 (119)  24 (137)  
A nti-Dumping  4 (109)  1 (133)  3 (133)  0 (127)  0 (134)  1 (166)  2 (155)  3 (134)  0 (127)  0 (112)  0 (118)  0 (134)  
ILP 13 (51)  20 (63) 10 (68)  21 (77)  7 (55)  13 (96)  16 (57)  12 (40)  20 (45)  19 (62)  13 (65)  20 (51)  
Safeguards  0 (42)  1 (47)  0 (99)  1 (110)  1 (137)  1 (170)  1 (147)  3 (75)  1 (80)  0 (86)  0 (59)  0 (73)  
C ustoms Valuation  0 (9)  1 (14)  1 (15)  3 (36)  1 (41)  1 (41)  0 (11)  0 (17) 1 (13)  0 (1)  0 (9)  0 (12)  
State Trading  0 (37)  2 (36)  0 (50)  0 (50)  1 (56)  5 (58)  3 (38)  0 (43)  1 (12)  1 (37)  0 (20)  1 (24)  
RTAs  6 (55)  8 (74)  14 (75)  8 (56)  10 (64)  0 (41)  0 (56)  0 (70)  0 (63)  0 (30)  0 (25)  4 (37)  
TRIPS  0 (172)  1 (106)  3 (69)  5 (333)  6 (236)  16 (225)  5 (147)  7 (251)  2 (59)  2 (38)  3 (72)  7 (139)  
GATS  0 (24)  1 (25)  0 (21)  0 (25)  0 (46)  7 (43)  0 (41)  4 (52)  1 (53)  1 (29)  0 (41)  0 (49)  
Q Rs 5 (15)  3 (11)  2 (13)  5 (18)  2 (10)  4 (14)  2 (8)  7 (10)  1 (6)  2 (8)  3 (6)  4 (12)  
TRIMs  0 (18) 0 (22)  0 (12)  0 (10)  0 (2)  0 (29)  0 (13)  0 (12)  0 (14)  0 (14)  0 (13)  0 (9)  
BoP Provisions  1 (23)  0 (11)  0 (7)  0 (9)  0 (7)  0 (4)  0 (0)  0 (1)  0 (1)  0 (0)  0 (1)  0 (0)  
Preshipment 
Inspection  0 (2)  0 (1)  0 (1)  0 (0)  0 (1)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (1)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0) 0 (1)  
Rules of Origin  0 (4)  0 (6)  0 (3)  0 (4)  0 (6)  0 (4)  0 (4)  0 (3)  0 (2)  0 (1)  0 (7)  0 (4)  
GPA 2 (7)  0 (14)  0 (9)  0 (19)  2 (14)  9 (21)  0 (8)  1 (11)  5 (11)  4 (10)  3 (8)  8 (14)  
ITA 0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0) 0 (0)  
Trade Facilitation  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  
O ther notifications  1 (5)  0 (5)  0 (3)  1 (8)  0 (6)  0 (4)  0 (3)  1 (7)  1 (3)  1 (2)  0 (5)  0 (8)  
Total environment -
related notifications  165 (2027)  211 (1861)  182 (1972)  245 (2282)  186 (2376)  281 (2482)  247 (2513)  244 (2256)  311 (2874)  357 (2428)  353 (2613)  395 (2957)  
Share of 
environment -related 
notifications  8.14%  11.3%  9.2%  10.7%  7.8%  11.3%  9.8%  10.8%  10.8%  14.7%  13.5%  13.4%  
  
                                              
1 Figures in parenthesis represent the total number of notifications  submitted by Members  under each relevant WTO Agreement.  This number includ es regular notificat ions as well as addenda, 
corrigenda and revisions , except in the case of  TBT and SPS notifications, where addenda, corrigenda and revisions  are not covered.   
  WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
- 16 -  
WTO Agreements  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018 
TBT  274 (1490)  270 (1413)  268 (1216)  353 (1551)  384 (1605)  358 (1558)  305 (1305)  377 (1686)  390 (1827)  483 (1881)  
SPS  81 (737)  83 (1051)  76 (1007)  91 (856)  107 (929)  44 (1169)  47 (1283)  62 (1037)  51 (1110)  40 (1255)  
SCM  40 (181)  8 (117)  47 (140)  17 (108)  48 (158)  29 (110)  51 (130)  31 (127)  61 (132)  18 (107)  
A griculture  36 (210)  49 (195)  44 (182)  45 (203)  34 (135)  42 (210)  32 (148)  43 (208)  44 (202)  49 (280)  
A nti-Dumping  0 (157)  0 (164)  0 (127)  0 (133)  0 (122)  2 (120)  0 (114)  0 (143)  0 (107)  2 (125)  
ILP 23 (82)  21 (72)  23 (78)  30 (85)  23 (96)  38 (99)  33 (74)  39 (96)  24 (54)  30 (79)  
Safeguards  0 (171)  0 (106)  2 (64)  2 (89)  2 (112)  2 (110)  4 (79)  0 (89)  0 (61)  2 (80)  
C ustoms Valuation  0 (6)  0 (4)  0 (4)  3 (13)  2 (13)  2 (23)  2 (9)  0 (4)  0 (6)  0 (3)  
State Trading  0 (29)  4 (77)  0 (8)  4 (39)  0 (17)  2 (51)  1 (14)  2 (41)  8 (30)  4 (42)  
RTAs  4 (30)  4 (26)  3 (33)  2 (37)  2 (40)  4 (19)  3 (12)  3 (18)  3 (16)  5 (10)  
TRIPS  2 (84)  8 (97) 9 (66)  4 (139)  9 (209)  5 (96)  1 (67)  1 (142)  0 (80)  0 (144)  
GATS  0 (68)  2 (45)  1 (38)  3 (66)  1 (48)  3 (75)  7 (64)  1 (21)  1 (25)  1 (17)  
Q Rs 2 (8)  1 (6)  2 (8)  13 (14)  5 (10)  15 (22)  8 (11)  12 (16)  7 (10)  18 (24)  
TRIMs  0 (21)  0 (18)  0 (4)  0 (4)  0 (6) 0 (6)  0 (5)  1 (4)  0 (2)  2 (4)  
BoP Provisions  0 (9)  0 (6)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (5)  1 (4)  0 (1)  0 (0)  
Preshipment 
Inspection  0 (0)  0 (2)  0 (2)  0 (4)  0 (3)  0 (2)  0 (2)  0 (1)  0 (2)  0 (2)  
Rules of Origin  0 (5)  0 (4)  0 (8)  0 (14)  0 (22)  0 (17)  0 (13) 0 (17)  0 (13)  0 (16)  
GPA 18 (29)  3 (32)  2 (16)  1 (13)  2 (15)  5 (27)  4 (40)  2 (66)  3 (46)  3 (46)  
ITA  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  
Trade Facilitation  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (0)  0 (55)  0 (26)  0 (17)  9 (57)  6 (108)  
O ther notifications  1 (4)  0 (6)  0 (9)  0 (6)  1 (5)  0 (4)  0 (7)  0 (7)  1 (5)  0 (2)  
Total environment -
related notifications  481 (3321)  453 (3441)  477 (3010)  568 (3374)  620 (3545)  551 (3773)  498 (3408)  575 (3744)  602 (3786)  663 (4225)  
Share of 
environment -related 
notifications  14.5%  13.2%  15.8%  16.8%  17.5%  14.6%  14.6%  15.4%  15.9%  15.69%  
 
 WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
- 17 - 
 
  Annex III - EDB Harmonized Categories   
Table 3.1 - Category of environment -related objectives (25)  
Afforestation/reforestation  
Air pollution reduction  
Alternative and renewable energy  
Animal protection  
Biodiversity and ecosystem  
Chemical, toxic and hazardous substances management  
Climate change mitigation and adaptation  
Energy conservation and efficiency  
Environmental goods and services promotion  
Environmental protection from pests and diseases  
Environmentally friendly consumption  
General environmental protection  
MEAs implementation and compliance  
Natural resources conservation  
Other environmental risks mitigation  
Ozone layer protection  
Plant protection  
Soil management and conservation  
Sustainable agriculture management  
Sustainable and environmentally friendly production  
Sustainable fisheries management  
Sustainable forestry management  
Sustainable mining management  
Waste management and recycling  
Water management and conservation  
 
Table 3.2 - Categor y of type of measures (3 1) 
Anti-dumping measure / investigation  
Ban/Prohibition  
Conformity assessment procedures  
Countervailing measure / investigation  
Environmental provisions in trade agreements  
Export licences  
Export quotas  
Export tariffs  
General environmental reference 1  
                                              
1 "General environmental reference" is a harmonized category that was introduced for EDB TPR entries 
from 2016 onwards.  WT/CTE/EDB/18  
 
- 18 - 
 
  Grants and direct payments  
Import licences  
Import quotas  
Import tariffs  
Income or price support  
Intellectual property measures  
Internal taxes  
Investment measures  
Loans and financing  
Non-monetary support  
Not specified  
Other environmental requirements  
Other measures  
Other price and market based measures  
Other support measures  
Public procurement  
Quarantine requirements  
Regulation affecting movement or transit  
Risk assessment  
Safeguard measure / investigation  
Tax concessions  
Technical regulation or specifications  
 
Table 3.3 - Category of sectors subject to the measure (11)  
Agriculture  
All products/economic activities  
Chemicals  
Energy  
Fisheries  
Forestry  
Manufacturing  
Mining  
Not specified  
Other  
Services  
 
__________