INF/TE/SSD/W/17/Rev.1  
 
18 February  2022 
(22-1587) Page: 1/3 
 
  Original: English  
 
 
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRUCTURED  
DISCUSSIONS  (TESSD)  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE TESSD  COORDINATORS  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 18 February  2022, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of Canada and Costa Rica ( TESSD Coordinators ). 
 
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TESSD WORK PLAN 2022  
1.1  This work plan is intended to outline the implementation of the operational part of the TESSD 
Ministerial Statement 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 De cember, 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 ope n 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 workin g 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  Stakeholders from academia, international organizations, civil society, NGOs and the business 
community will be invited to contribute t o formal TESSD meetings. The inputs of stakeholders are 
intended to enhance discussions through technical expertise, experience and transparency.  
 
   
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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 arisin g 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  • What trade -related climate measures and policies are Members pursuing and what are their trade implications?  
• Can we identify best practices in the development of trade -related climate measures and policies to maximize climate and 
environmental benefits while also ma ximizing trade benefits?  
• What are the challenges facing MSMEs globally and for developing countries, with regard to the design and use of trade -related 
climate measures and policies, and how can these be addressed?  
2. Environmental goods 
and services  • How can trade in environmental goods and services aid in achieving environment and climate goals?  
• What are the opportunities , best practices,  and possible approaches for promoting and facilitating trade in environmental 
goods and services to meet environmental and climate goals, including through addressing supply chain, technical and 
regulatory elements, promoting and facilitating access to and uptake of new and emerging low-emissions and other 
climate -friendly technologies , and attention to issue s of particular interest to developing countries ?  
• What challenges and policies impede the ability of developing countries and LDCs to engage in and maximise benefits from 
trade in environmental goods and services and how can these be addressed?  
3. Circul ar economy – 
circularity  • What trade policies, tools and collaborative actions can support the transition to a  circular economy that supports the 
achievement  of sustainable development goals?  
• What trade policies, tools and collaborative actions could help developing and LDC  Members  ensure that circular economy 
approaches contribute to their sustainable  development?  
• What are the lessons learned from existing efforts to advance circular economy goals (including reducing unsustainable 
resource use, promoting resource efficiency, sustainability and safety across product lifecycles, restoring and regenerating 
ecosystems , and minimising waste) and the opportunities and challenges linked to trade and trade policies?    
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4. Subsidies  • How can the environmental effects and trade impacts of relevant subsidies be identified?  
• What information exists to better understand these impact s and where are there information gaps?  
• What are the opportunities to address the environmental impacts of subsidies at the WTO?  
*A number of issues pertaining to the thematic work areas of sustainable supply chains/sustainability standards (Par a. 4.(ii))  and sustainable trade/development (Par a. 5) are 
cross-cutting and relevant aspects might also be included in discussions of working groups.  
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