WT/CTE/W/252  
 
2 June 2023 
(23-3766) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Trade and Environment  Original: English  
 
  
REVITALISING THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM  
The following communication, dated 1 June  2023, is being circulated at the request of the  Delegation 
of the United Kingdom.  
 
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Introduction  
1. The United Kingdom welcomes the recent efforts to re vitalise  the Committee on Trade and 
Environment (CTE), including the consultations by the new Chair. We also note a renewed 
enthusiasm in  the Committee for discussion of matters related to trade and environment.  
2. The triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss is one of the most 
urgent challenge s facing humanity today. The role of the multilateral trading sys tem in addressing 
these issues has long been enshrined in the WTO mandate and was underscored again in the MC12 
Ministerial Outcome Document.  
3. We further note that the WTO Director -General  argues that the future of trade is services, 
digital, green, and inclusive. The UK agrees  and considers the continued revitalisation of the CTE is 
an important means of securing this future . 
4. The CTE plays a critical role on matters concerning trade and environment, setting the tone 
and o perating as a hub for expertise -sharing and facilitating common understanding across the WTO. 
The UK believes that Members have an opportunity now to take a number of practical steps to 
improve further the work of the Committee. Following  the proposals on Improving the Operation of 
WTO Bodies to revitalise the WTO 's Monitoring and Deliberative function , presented by the UK , Costa 
Rica, Canada  and 15 other co -sponsors at the recent General Council (WT/GC/W/877), and drawing  
from suggestions that have already  been proposed by the EU, Colombia, China , India  and other 
Members and stakeholders, the UK provides the following suggestions for improving the functioning 
of the CTE.  
Improving the supporting framework of meetings in the CTE  
5. The UK welcomes the work in other committees, including in the Council on Trade in Goods 
and its subsidiaries, which are considering how to address more administrative issues – or 'ways of 
working ' – through a prism of efficiency and inclusivity. According ly, the UK would welcome a  similar 
conversation to examine the underlying framework of the CTE , should there be interest from other 
Members.  
6. The UK has , however,  some initial reflections  based on what has worked elsewhere, for 
example o n the value of more detailed annotated agendas, e -agendas, and agenda closing dates – 
which we view as positive and practical steps to improving both efficiency and inclusivity . We would 
welcome input from other Members on further practical steps we could take  in the CTE , in particular 
from those members who face capacity constraints, as a key objective behind this work is to make 
WTO work more inclusive for those members.  WT/CTE/W/252  
 
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  7. In particular, the UK suggests consideration of:  
a. Defining a forward look of meetings at the start of  each year , which is consistent 
year to year ; 
b. Encouraging Members wishing to table papers for discussion to do so a specific 
number of weeks in advance;  
c. Using  guided questions for more discussion -based agenda items; and   
d. Identifying topics for thematic or informal sessions as early as possible . 
 
8. Should there be interest in such a discussion  with regards to the CTE , it could b e accompanied 
by an overview similar to the Matrix included in the CTG Report (G/C/W/824/Rev.1). Taking such an 
approach could provide  inspiration for Members to consider practical steps that they would find 
useful.  
Promoting substantive engagement on trade and environment issues in the CTE  
9. The UK considers that a n important  part of the value of a revitalised CTE is genuine discussion 
on the key issues at the nexus between trade and the environment. While we recognise that some 
issues will be relevant in other committees too, the CTE has a unique position in the multilateral 
discussion of trade and environment matters. The UK thinks that Members could further enhance 
this in the following way s. 
10. The UK sees value in the suggestion of the  CTE holding  'thematic sessions '. These could take 
place in informal mode alongside regular CTE meetings, involving information -sharing on policy 
design and environmental and trade impacts. Importantly, they would provide an opportunity for 
more cross -cutting discussion of issues and challenges faced by Members.  Modelled on TBT 
Thematics, such se ssions could facilitate the exchange of best practice on specific issues. These 
would consider issues of mutual interest, such as sharing expertise. They could be framed against 
some common aims, such as:  minimising trade frictions on environmental trade a nd services, 
identifying best practice at national and international level, principles to consider for distributing 
support in a fair and equitable way, proactive efforts towards unlocking trade in the green industries 
of the future.  
11. More informal session s like this could foster more back -and-forth discussion and minimise 
repetition of statements, facilitating more dynamic discussions. It could also help to normalise the 
practice of Members intervening more than once on the same agenda item when time allow s. 
12. The UK recommends the follow areas for possible discussion at thematic or informal sessions:  
a. Sustainable supply chains and biodiversity   
b. Use of environmental subsidies  
c. Approaches to carbon leakage  
d. The circular economy  
e. Building climate resilient econom ies 
 
13. The UK believes that active involvement from stakeholders could benefit such discussions. 
This could include representatives from businesses, academics, and international organisations, 
including from the climate and environment communities, to help w ith evidence -sharing and 
assessment of impacts. On certain issues or questions, the CTE chair, following suggestions from 
Members, could invite expert stakeholders to share their assessments ahead of upcoming meetings. 
This could help form the basis for  more evidence -based discussions.  
Leveraging Expertise from Other Fora  
14. The environment agenda at the WTO is growing, and we understand the real capacity 
constraints delegations are under and we therefore welcome the reporting back into the CTE of 
environment al initiatives taking place in the WTO and other international organizations where they 
are relevant to the work of the WTO, for example the Kunming -Montreal Global Biodiversity 
Framework.  WT/CTE/W/252  
 
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  15. We see value in considering further the benefits of joining up with  the work of other 
committees, which could help leverage the expertise of various WTO bodies, ensuring these issues 
are discussed from all relevant angles. A good example is the discussion on plastic waste in the TBT 
committee. Members could consider optio ns for relevant sessions on a more regular basis. These 
could be held either in tandem with 'thematic sessions ' or separately. The UK would also consider 
positively ideas regarding joint sessions with other committees on relevant cross -cutting issues, if 
Members felt this would be helpful.  
Conclusion  
16. The role trade  can play in the green transition will only become more important, so it is crucial 
we engage on this fully at the WTO. Ahead of MC13, the UK calls on all Members to consider creative, 
inclusive, and practical ways, that we can promote greater coherence on the trade  and environment 
agenda. We welcome views on the above suggestions, and other ideas supporting global 
environmental outcomes and mainstreaming environmental sustainability across the WTO.  
17. Particularly, w e would also welcome views from members on how envir onmental sustainability 
can better be mainstreamed across the WTO bodies , includ ing identifying how the multilateral  
trading system might need to evolve to adequately account for the green transition.  
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