WT/CTE/24  
 
28 November 2017  
(17-6516) Page: 1/8 
   
 
 
 REPORT (201 7) OF THE COMMITTEE O N TRADE AND ENVIRONM ENT 
 
 
1. In 2017 , under the Chairmanship of the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, 
Mrs. Zhanar  Aitzhanova, the Committee on Trade and Environment in Regular Session (CTE) held 
two formal meetings, on 20  June1 and on 1 November .2 
2. The work of the CTE was organized in accordance with the mandate established by the 
Doha Ministerial  Declaration, Paragraphs 32, 33 and 51.3 Discussions took place mainly on 
environmental requirements and market access issues under Paragrap h 32(i) ("The effect of 
environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to developing countries, in 
particular the least -developed among them, and those situations in which the elimination or 
reduction of trade restrictions and distortions would benefit trade, the environment and 
development").  Other items addressed by the CTE were item s 14 and 4.5 
3. No discussion took place under Paragraph 32(ii) (relevant provisions of the 
TRIPS  Agreement); Paragraph 32(iii) (labelling requirements for envi ronmental purposes); 
Paragraph 33 (technical assistance, capacity building and environmental reviews); and 
Paragraph  51 (developmental and environmental aspects of the negotiations).   
1  PARAGRAPH 32  
1.1  Paragraph 32(i)  
"The effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to 
developing countries, in particular the least -developed among them, and those situations 
in which the elimination or reduction of trade restrictions and distortions would benefit 
trade, the environment and developme nt."  
 
1.1.1   Fisheries  
4. At the June meeting, Canada  presented its contribution to combatting illegal, unreported 
and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Canada's legislative and regulatory framework was designed to 
manage and protect fisheries resources in a biologically sustainable manner, and to prevent 
destructive practices while continuing to seek effective international solutions.  Canada had been 
actively involved in efforts to combat IUU fishing in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of 
the United Nations (UN ), in several Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and larger 
programmes to address IUU fishing in the Northwest Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, as well as 
                                                
1 Available through WT/CTE/M/63 , "Report of the Meeting held on 20 June 2017 ", Note by the 
Secretariat.  
2 To be circulated through WT/CTE/M/64 , "Report of the Meeting held on 1 November 201 7", Note by 
the Secretariat.  
3 The CTE Work Programme and the parts of the Doha Development Agenda that are relevant to the 
work of the CTE Regular are included in Annexes 1 and 2 respectively.  
4 Item 1 of the C TE Work Programme reads: "The relationship between the provisions of the multilateral 
trading system and trade measures for environmental purposes, including those pursuant to multilateral 
environmental agreements."  
5 Item 4  of the CTE Work Programme reads : "The provisions of the multilateral trading system with 
respect to the transparency of trade measures used for environmental purposes and environmental measures 
and requirements which have significant trade effects."  WT/CTE/24  
 
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  in the context of Canada's trade agreements. Canada also supported  the International Monit oring, 
Control and Surveillance Network  and contributed to INTERPOL's Fisheries Crime Working Group.  
5. Fiji, on behalf of Fiji and co -host Sweden, briefed delegations on the UN Ocean Conference 
to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (S DG) 14, held in June 2017 in 
New York. The Conference had adopted a call for action that reaffirmed the commitment of UN 
member States to SDG 14. Seven partnership dialogue sessions covered the SDG 14 targets. In 
addition, governments, the private sector a nd non -governmental organizations (NGOs) had made 
1372 voluntary commitments. Several delegations commented on the significance of the 
Conference in drawing attention to the state of the world's oceans and the willingness for joint 
action to preserve marin e resources and fulfil SDG  14. Several delegations also shared information 
on their voluntary commitments.  
6. The FAO presented FAO's instruments and tools to fight IUU fishing. Under the International 
Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate IUU Fishin g, FAO had developed a suite of 
instruments and tools to combat IUU fishing, including: the Port State Measures Agreement 
(PSMA); the Global Record of Fishing Vessels, Refrigerated Transport Vessels and Supply Vessels; 
and the Voluntary Guidelines for Catc h Documentation Schemes.  
7. Several delegations noted the relevance of, and their contribution to, FAO's work in 
combatting IUU fishing and described some of their efforts in this area. Several delegations 
encouraged non -parties to accede to the PSMA. Some de legations commented on the links 
between FAO's work on IUU fishing and the WTO's fisheries subsidies negotiations. One delegation 
noted its support for an outcome on fisheries subsidies at the WTO's Eleventh Ministerial 
Conference.  
8. The United Nations Conf erence on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)  presented its " Trade 
and Environment Review 2016" and other activities related to the UN Ocean Conference. The 
Review  described main trends in fish trade and the likely impacts of climate change on fish.  
It analysed several trade issues related to SDG 14, including subsidies that can contribute  
to overfishing, overcapacity and IUU fishing, and tariffs and non -tariff measures affecting  
fish trade, including the growing use of voluntary standards and certi fication schemes. Regarding 
other activities, UNCTAD, along with FAO and UN Environment (UNEP), had submitted a  
voluntary commitment at the UN Ocean Conference to support efforts by UN member States to 
meet SDG 14.6.  
9. The Organization for Economic Coopera tion and Development (OECD)  provided an overview 
of the OECD's Fisheries Support Estimate database, which measure d fisheries suppo rt policies in 
31 countries in a way that allowed  users t o compare how fisheries support  differed between 
countries and had evolved over time.  The OECD planned to develop indicators on the impact of 
such policies on capacity, fishing effort, and fish stocks. A comprehensive bio -economic model 
would serve as a tool for more analysis on the effects of support. Data collection on st eps taken by 
countries to combat IUU fishing in their domestic jurisdictions had started. One delegation said 
that the OECD's expertise on policy measurement and evaluation could prove helpful in addressing 
certain issues in the WTO's fisheries subsidies n egotiations.  
10. UNEP updated delegations on recent activities, including its 2016 joint statement with 
UNCTAD and FAO seeking to advance trade -related targets under the SDGs. In March 2017, the 
three organizations had co -hosted the Oceans Forum on the Trade -related Aspects of SDG 14.  
11. The WTO Secretaria t reported on the state -of-play of the fisheries subsidies negotiations, 
which had been reinvigorated with the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 
in particular SDG 14.6. Additional proposal s had been submitted since the fall 2016. Several 
delegations highlighted their engagement in the negotiations and emphasized the importance of 
reaching a meaningful multilateral outcome. One delegation called for a practical approach that 
would focus on a reas where progress was most likely, and for giving priority to the most egregious 
subsidies. While some delegations underscored the relevance of the issue to CTE's work, one 
delegation was of the view that the CTE was not the appropriate forum to discuss the issue since it 
was discussed under the Negotiating Group on Rules. One delegation stated that the issue was 
dealt with under a different committee in the WTO and that it should not be discussed in the CTE.  WT/CTE/24  
 
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  1.1.2   Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR)  
12. At the June meeting, New Zealand , on behalf of Costa Rica, New Zealand, Norway, 
Switzerland and Uruguay,  briefed the CTE on recent developments in FFSR , including:  two events 
held at the WTO on the relationship between FFSR and trade ; the inclusion of FFSR in the 
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of several countries; the reaffirmation in the 
Addis  Ababa Action Agenda and by G20 Finance Ministers of  the commitment to rationalize 
inefficient fossil  fuel subsidies  that encourage wasteful consumption ; continu ed individual 
engagement with peer review processes by G20 and Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation members; 
the endorsement of the FFSR Communiqué by 42  countries; the call by the V20 Group of Ministers 
of Finance for the removal of market distorting fossil fuel production subsidies; and the call by the 
private sector for the G20 to set a timeline for the phase -out by all G20 members of all fossil fuel 
subsidies by 2020. At the November meeting, New Zealand  further elaborated on the potential role 
for the WTO  on wider efforts in FFSR, highlighting the WTO as uniquely placed to address the issue 
and noting that a high-level event would be jointly held by New Zealand and Finland during the 
forthcoming WTO  Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires.  
13. Several  delegatio ns acknowledged  the importance  of FFSR, shared their experience  in this 
area, and supported continued discussions of the topic in the  CTE, including any potential role for 
the WTO . Some other delegations noted that the phasing out of inefficient fossil fue l subsidies that 
encouraged wasteful consumption was a voluntary G20 initiative not linked to the WTO, and were 
of the view that the WTO was not the appropriate venue to discuss such matters  and they did not 
support any reference to this issue in MC11.   
1.1.3   Other topics  
14. At the June meeting, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)  updated on 
ISO/TS 14067:2013 on "Greenhouse gases - Carbon footprint of products – Requirements and 
guidelines for quantification and communication", which was under r evision and expected to be 
published in October 2018. In response to some concerns, the ISO Technical Committee  (TC) 207 
had agreed to set up an Ad Hoc Group on International Standards and Trade to examine the issue 
of related trade barriers. The Group had  submitted a report in June  2017 to the Technical 
Management Board. At the last ISO/TC 207 meeting, some developing countries had expressed 
concerns that the lack of international standards would result in the development of national 
schemes and expressed preference for a consensus -based international standard.  
15. Following ISO's presentation, some delegations expressed concern that environmental 
footprinting  schemes could create barriers to trade for producers in developing countries. One 
delegation was of the view that carbon footprint assessments on a lifecycle basis were not 
appropriate due to concerns related to processes and production methods , and that any 
environmental requirements should be WTO -consistent. One delegation expressed a number of 
specific concerns related to ISO 14067 and ISO's standards -making process, including the 
following: ISO  14067  had been developed based on uncertain and selective science; the request to 
publish the lifecycle approach to calculate carbon footprint only as a "document" had been 
dismissed; ISO 14067 conflicted with the WTO principle of special and differential treatment and 
the UN  Framework Convention on Climate Chang e (UNFCCC)  principle of common but 
differentiated responsibilities; and ISO's  voting process was not based on consensus.     
16. At the November meeting, Ecuador  described its legal framework to promote  sustainable 
development  and the efficient use of natural resources. In this context, Ecuador supported 
increased market access for biological products  and goods from sustainable forest management , 
especially for small and medium -sized enterprises and indigenous communities.  Ecuador also 
proposed to strengthen  cooperation within trade agreements to promote biotrade , and to provide  
technical assistance and capacity building in this area.  WT/CTE/24  
 
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  2  OTHER ITEMS ON THE C TE'S WORK PROGRAMME (ITEMS 1, 2, 3(A), 4 , 5, 7, 9, 
AND 10)6 
2.1  Item 1  
"The rel ationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and trade 
measures for environmental purposes, including those pursuant to multilateral 
environmental agreements."  
2.1.1   Matrix on Trade -related Measures Pursuant to Selected Multilateral Enviro nmental 
Agreements  
17. At the November meeting, the WTO Secretariat  introduced the updated "Matrix on 
Trade -related Measures Pursuant to Selected Multilateral Environmental Agreements ".7 Additional 
information in the 2017  MEA matrix included: the PSMA, informa tion on the P aris Agreement, and  
the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol . Some delegations noted that the matrix was a 
very useful tool as it provided a clear picture of the linkages between MEAs and the multilateral 
trading system, and expressed support for the continuation of this work.  
2.1.2   The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer  
18. At the June meeting, the Ozone Secretariat (UNEP)  briefed the CTE on the Kigali 
Amendment to the Montreal Protocol adopted on 15 October 2016 in Kig ali (Rwanda). This 
Amendment required gradually reducing by 80 -85% the production and consumption of 
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a greenhouse gas (GHG) listed in annex F of the Montreal Protocol, by 
the late 2040s. It was foreseen that the Amendment would h ave a significant impact on climate 
change mitigation. Several delegations reaffirmed their intention to ratify the Kigali Amendment at 
an early stage and some delegations urged parties to ratify the amendment.  
2.1.3   United Nations Framework Convention on Clima te Change (UNFCCC)  
19. At the June meeting, the UNFCCC  updated delegations on the 22nd Conference of the Parties 
(CoP) to the UNFCCC and the first meeting of the CoP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the 
Paris Agreement held in November  2016 in Marrakec h (Morocco) and the results of the 
intersessional meetings that had taken place in May 2017 in Bonn (Germany). One delegation 
stated that the May 2017 intersessional meetings had been an important step towards delivering  a 
detailed rulebook for the Agreeme nt and noted the importance of the 2018 "facilitative dialogue" 
as the first opportunity to review collective efforts to limit global warming.  
20. At the June and November meetings, the Republic of Korea , New Zealand , Peru and Canada  
presented their respectiv e NDCs and related national strategies. At the June meeting , China  
presented on its renewable energy policy and projects and highlighted that China had been the 
world's largest investor in renewable energy over the last five years. Kazakhstan  reported on its 
commitment to renewable energy , as reflected in the Green Bridge Partnership Programme for 
2011-2020, and  noted that Astana would host Expo 2017 on the theme "Future Energy". 
Chinese  Taipei  provided information on its efforts to reduce  GHG emissions . At the 
November  meeting, New Zealand  shared further information on the Global Research Alliance on 
Agricultural GHGs, a global science -based partnership among 49 countries aimed at  increasing 
food production  without generating more  emissions .  
21. Moreover, at t he June meeting, the Republic of Korea  reported on behalf of Costa Rica, 
Canada, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Switzerland and Chinese Taipei on the Workshop on Trade and 
Climate Change held on 19 June 2017. The Workshop aimed at improving the understanding of the 
relationship between trade and clima te change and to explore ways to deepen discussions in the 
WTO and other fora. At the June and November meetings, several delegations supported 
discussing trade and climate change at the CTE and underscored the importance of the issue. 
Some other delegatio ns believed climate change should not be discussed in the WTO as the issues 
                                                
6  See Annex 1, the original CTE work  programme which includes these items.  
7 "Matrix on Trade -related Measures Pursuant to Selected Multilateral Environmental Agreements" , Note 
by the Secretariat, WT/CTE/W/160/Rev.8 , TN/TE/S/5/Rev.6 , circulated on  9 October 2017 . WT/CTE/24  
 
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  under the Paris Agreement were delicate, and part of a balanced and long term process of 
negotiation with no bearing under any forum outside of the UNFCCC.  
2.1.4   MEAs dealing with chemi cals and wastes (the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm 
(BRS) Conventions)  
22. At the November meeting, the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm  (BRS) C onventions  (UNEP)  
briefed delegations on the main outcomes of the meetings of the CoPs to the BRS Conventions 
held in April-May 2017 under the theme "A Future Detoxified: the Sound Management of 
Chemicals and Wastes." The meetings had featured a high -level segment and a technology fair. 
Delegations were also briefed on the main outcomes of the meeting of the first CoP to the 
Minamata Convention on Mercury, held in September 2017.  
23. Several delegations welcomed the outcomes of the recent meetings, reiterated the 
importance of the BRS and Minamata Conventions for the sound management of chemicals and 
wastes and for a well -functioning international trade system, and expressed support for the 
continued consideration of the work by these Conventions in the CTE. One delegation highlighted 
the urgent need to agree on compliance mechanisms for the Rotterdam and Stockholm 
Conventions,  while another delegation called for consideration of the need to tackle illegal waste in 
hazardous materials, to develop guidelines on the contents of hazardous substances in traded 
goods and to harmonize globally the labelling system for hazardous materi als in trade.  
24. Peru, at the November meeting, presented its experience with the environmentally sound 
management of polychlorinated biphenyls  (PCBs) in the mining sector, based on the lessons 
learned from a project financed by the Global Environment Facilit y. The project, which aimed to 
protect human health and the environment by reducing PCB pollution in equipment used in Peru's 
mining industry, had shown the importance of building public -private partnerships, providing 
technical assistance and capacity bui lding, and involving key stakeholders. Several delegations 
acknowledged the progress made by Peru in implementing the Stockholm Convention and noted 
that Peru's presentation was of relevance to CTE's work.  
25. The United Nations Industrial Development Organiza tion (UNIDO)  briefed the CTE  on 
activities to assist countries in complying with PCB -related obligations under the 
Stockholm  Convention and in implementing the Minamata Convention.  
2.1.5   Other topics  
26. Ecuador , at the November meeting, called for the consideration  of sustainability criteria in 
trade  under item 1 of the CTE's work programme. Ecuador also shared its experience on its "Green 
Point" certification scheme as a strategy to promote resource efficiency, cleaner production and 
competitiveness.  
2.2  Item 4  
"The pr ovisions of the multilateral trading system with respect to the transparency of trade 
measures used for environmental purposes and environmental measures and requirements 
which have significant trade effects. " 
27. At the June and November meetings, the WTO Sec retariat  introduced the  2014 and 2015 
Environmental Database  (EDB)8 updates, highlighting key trends in measures notified. Several 
delegations expressed their appreciation for the database while some delegations noted the 
potential to improve its user -friendliness and search function. It was recognized that EDB updates 
required a large amount of resources and the WTO Secretariat was encouraged to continue 
working on updates as the EDB was a very useful and unique tool. One delegation suggested that 
future E DB documents could provide more information on relevant tariff lines. The Secretariat 
noted that while the EDB  included Harmonized System (HS) codes where possible, in some cases it 
was difficult to assign a unique HS code to measures across different sect ors.  
                                                
8 The EDB can be consulted through the WTO webpage: www.wto.org/edb.  WT/CTE/24  
 
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  3  OTHER BUSINESS  
3.1  Environmental Goods Agreement Negotiations  
28. At the June and November meetings, Australia  updated delegations on the status of the 
Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) negotiations launched in July 2014.  Considerable progress 
had been made regarding understanding of product types to be included in the Agreement and 
EGA members' core priorities and sensitivities. Though consensus had not been reached, 
EGA members continued to reflect on possible future wor k. Japan  briefed delegations about the 
EGA Symposium organized in August 2017 in Beijing by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade 
and Industry . Several delegations underscored the importance of the EGA and expressed support 
for the timely resumption of negotiations. Some delegations did not support the discussion of this 
initiative in the CTE, which in their view was not within the scope of the CTE.   
3.2  Update on the plurilateral negotiations on fisheries subsidies  
29. At the June meeting, Canada  briefed delegations on the plurilateral negotiations on fisheries 
subsidies launched in September 2016. The Fisheries Subsidies Agreement would be open to all  
WTO Members. Several delegations reaffirmed their commitment towards concluding a fisheries 
subsidies agreement and noted that plurilateral and multilateral discussions were complementary. 
Some delegations noted that SDG  14.6 provided a strong political c ommitment and a sense of 
urgency in fisheries subsidies negotiations.  
3.3  Briefings by observer organizations  
30. At the June and November meetings, UNEP  briefed delegations on work related to the 
implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including initiatives to promote  synergies between trade and 
environment policies at national, regional and global levels. UNEP also provided updates on  recent 
developments in MEAs  and the forthcoming U N Environmental Assembly.   
31. At the November meeting, the OECD  briefed delegations on it s trade and e nvironment work 
in the 2017 -18 biennium , including on a set of policy indicators on trade and environment , 
environmental goods, harmful subsidies, sustainability in regional trade agreements and circular 
economy.  
 
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 WT/CTE/24  
 
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  ANNEX 1:  ITEMS OF THE CTE WOR K PROGRAMME  
Item 1:  The relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and 
trade measures for environmental purposes, including those pursuant to 
multilateral environmental agreements.  
Item 2:  The relationship b etween environmental policies relevant to trade and 
environmental measures with significant trade effects and the provisions of the 
multilateral trading system.  
Item 3(a):  The relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and 
charg es and taxes for environmental purposes.  
Item 3(b):  The relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and 
requirements for environmental purposes relating to products, including standards 
and technical regulations, packaging, label ling and recycling.  
Item 4:  The provisions of the multilateral trading system with respect to the transparency 
of trade measures used for environmental purposes and environmental measures 
and requirements which have significant trade effects.  
Item 5:  The r elationship between the dispute settlement mechanisms in the multilateral 
trading system and those found in multilateral environmental agreements.  
Item 6:  The effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to 
developing countries , in particular to the least developed among them, and 
environmental benefits of removing trade restrictions and distortions.  
Item 7:  The issue of exports of domestically prohibited goods.  
Item 8:  The relevant provisions of the Agreement on Trade -Related A spects of Intellectual 
Property Rights.  
Item 9:  The work programme envisaged in the Decision on Trade in Services and the 
Environment.  
Item 10:  Input to the relevant bodies in respect of appropriate arrangements for relations 
with intergovernmental and non -governmental organizations referred to in 
Article  V of the WTO.  
 
 
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  WT/CTE/24  
 
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ANNEX 2: PARTS OF TH E DOHA MINISTERIAL D ECLARATION THAT RELA TE TO THE WORK 
OF THE CTE REGULAR  
32.  We instruct the Committee on Trade and Environment, in pursuing work on all items on its 
agenda within its current terms of reference, to give particular attention to:  
 
(i) the effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to 
developing countries, in particular the least -developed among them , and those situations 
in which the elimination or reduction of trade restrictions and distortions would benefit 
trade, the environment and development;  
 
(ii) the relevant provisions of the Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights ; and  
 
(iii) labelling requirements for environmental purposes.  
 
Work on these issues should include the identification of any need to clarify relevant WTO rules. 
The Committee shall report to the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference, and make 
recom mendations, where appropriate, with respect to future action, including the desirability of 
negotiations. The outcome of this work as well as the negotiations carried out under 
paragraph  31(i) and  (ii) shall be compatible with the open and non -discriminato ry nature of the 
multilateral trading system, shall not add to or diminish the rights and obligations of members 
under existing WTO agreements, in particular the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures, nor alter the balance of these rights and obligations, and will take into 
account the needs of developing and least -developed countries.  
 
33.  We recognize the importance of technical assistance and capacity building in the field of trade 
and environment to developing countries, i n particular the least -developed among them. We also 
encourage that expertise and experience be shared with members wishing to perform 
environmental reviews at the national level. A report shall be prepared on these activities for the 
Fifth Session.  
 
51.  The Committee on Trade and Development and the Committee on Trade and Environment 
shall, within their respective mandates, each act as a forum to identify and debate developmental 
and environmental aspects of the negotiations, in order to help achieve the objective of having 
sustainable development appropriately reflected.  
 
 
 
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