RESTRICTED  
  
WT/CTE/M/58  
 
23 March 2015  
(15-1659)  Page: 1/19  
Committee on Trade and Environment    
 
 REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD ON 23 OCTOBER 2014 
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
The Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE Regular) met on 23 October 2014, chaired by 
Ambassador Päivi Kairamo (Finland). The Committee adopted the Airgram, WTO/AIR/4354, 
issued on 26 September 2014. The latest list of documents of the Committee was circulated on 
3 May 2013 in document WT/CTE/INF/5/Rev.11 . The Report of the last CTE meeting, held on 
30 June 2014, is contained in WT/CTE/M/57 , dated 30 September 2014. 
_______________ 
  
Contents 
1   PARAGRAPH 32(I) OF THE DOHA MINISTERIAL DECLARATION ON MARKET 
ACCESS AND ENVIRONMENTA L REQUIREMENTS .............................................................. 3  
1.1   First Part of Paragraph 32(i): "The E ffect of Environmental Measures on Market 
Access, especially in relation to Developing Countries, in particular  the Least-Developed among th em" ...................................................................................................................  3
 
1.1.1   Environmental Footprint: European Union's Single Market for Green Products 
Initiative .......................................................................................................................... 3  
1.2   Second Part of Paragraph 32(i): "Those Situations in Which the Elimination or 
Reduction of Trade Restrictions and Distortions Would Benefit Trade, the Environment 
and Development" ............................................................................................................ 4  
1.2.1   Illegal Logging ........................................................................................................ 4  
1.2.1.1   Cameroon 's experience ......................................................................................... 4  
1.2.1.2   China' s experience ............................................................................................... 5  
1.2.1.3   Chinese Taipei's experience ................................................................................... 6  
1.2.1.4   Mexico's experience .............................................................................................. 6  
1.2.1.5   Chile's experience ................................................................................................ 6  
1.2.1.6   United Nation s Forum on Forest s ............................................................................ 7  
1.2.1.7   Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna 
and Flora (CITES) .............................................................................................................  7 
1.2.2   Natural Gas Sector .................................................................................................. 8  
1.2.2.1   Qatar' s experience ............................................................................................... 8  
2   OTHER BU SINESS ........................................................................................................ 9  
2.1   Initiative on Environmental Goods Agreement ................................................................ 9  
2.2   Briefings by International Organizations ....................................................................... 10 
                                               
1 This document has been prepared under the Secret ariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or their rights and obligations under the WTO. WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  2.2.1   Briefing by the Organization for Ec onomic Cooperation and Development (OECD) ........... 10 
2.2.2   Briefing by the United Na tions Environment Pr ogramme (U NEP) ................................... 11 
2.2.3   Briefing by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) ................ 11 
2.3   Briefings by Multilateral Environmental Agreements ....................................................... 13 
2.3.1   Briefing by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flor a (CIT ES) ................................................................................................... 13 
2.3.2   Briefing by the Convention  on Biological Diversity (CBD) ............................................. 13 
2.3.3   Briefing by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 
(UNFCCC)  ...................................................................................................................... . 14 
2.4   Briefings by the WTO Secretaria t on trade and envi ronment i ssues .................................. 14 
2.4.1   Briefing by the WTO Secretariat on recent developments regarding the United 
Nations Sustainable Deve lopment Goal s (SDG s) ................................................................... 14 
2.4.2   Briefing by the WTO Secretariat on Ty pes of Environmental Provisions in Regional 
Trade Agreements ........................................................................................................... 15 
3   DATE OF NE XT MEETING ........................................................................................... 17  
ANNEX 1: ITEMS OF THE CTE WORK PROGRAMME .......................................................... 18  
ANNEX 2: PARTS OF THE DOHA MINISTER IAL DECLARATION THAT RELATE  TO 
THE WORK OF THE CTE .................................................................................................. 19  
 
 
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  1   PARAGRAPH 32(I) OF THE DOHA MINISTERIAL DECLARATION ON MARKET ACCESS 
AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS 
1.1  First Part of Paragraph 32(i): "The E ffect of Environmental Measures on Market 
Access, especially in relation to De veloping Countries, in particular  
the Least-Developed among them" 
1.1.1  Environmental Footprint: European Union's Single Market for Green Products 
Initiative 
1.1.  The representative of the European Union (E U) provided an update on the pilot phase of the 
EU Single Market for Green Products (SMGP) init iative launched in November 2013. He explained 
that the SMGP initiative was voluntary and aimed to enhance the availability of comparable and reliable information on the environmental impacts and performance of products and organisations. 
The objective was to simplify the footprint and labelling requirements in order to: (i) reduce EU 
and non-EU operators' costs, in particular those having to comply with different requirements in different countries; (ii) enhance consumer trust; and (iii) improve market access of green 
products.  
1.2.  The SMGP initiative's pilot phase involved testing: (i) the development process of more 
specific and tailored rules on specific organisations and products; (ii) different compliance and 
verification approaches; and (iii) different communication means. Two waves of pilots were 
launched: the first one in November 2013 on industrial products, such as IT equipment, photovoltaics and shoes; and the second one, in June 2014, on agricultural products, such as 
coffee and meat. Overall, a total of 27 pilots were launched. The pilot phase was transparent and 
open, with direct participation of EU and non-EU  stakeholders, including small and medium sized-
enterprises (SMEs).
2 The pilot program was expected to be completed in December 2016. 
1.3.  In addition to the pilot phase, the Euro pean Union was providing financial support to the 
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to carry out, in developing countries, capacity 
building activities related to environmental footprints, life-cycle analysis (LCA) and data collection. Under UNEP's 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, an 
intergovernmental dialogue on LCA was established with the aim to facilitate the worldwide 
availability and access of good quality LCA data; work on nomenclature and data quality issues; 
and exchange knowledge about LCA-based practices.  
1.4.  The representative of New Zealand welcomed the ability to participate in the 
European Union's initiative and emphasized the importance for the European Union to collaborate 
closely with relevant international initiatives. Her delegation was interested to know how the methodology would be used and the policy implications. 
1.5.  The representative of Argentina expr essed concern over the possibility of the 
European Union's initiative becoming mandatory at a later point in time. In his view, unilateral 
measures were not the solution, and multilateral solutions had to be favoured. His delegation 
noted that most methodologies were being developed by researchers and not in a multilateral 
context, with the potential risk of being more trade restrictive than necessary. The importance of avoiding barriers to trade by taking into account developing countries' needs and the impact of environmental labelling schemes on their exports was further underscored.  
1.6.  The representative of Switzerland explained that they had actively participated in the EU 
SMGP initiative. His delegation recalled that international standards had to be used and applied in 
a non-discriminatory manner. In his view, an adequate use of environmental information schemes 
would have a positive impact on environmental protection. 
1.7.  The representative of Chinese Taipei ex pressed concern over non-EU SMEs in the green 
products market, as they were required to provide environmental life cycle analysis information, as 
well as facing strong competition from large enterprises. His delegation was interested to learn 
more on simplifying the process so as to reduce complexity  for non-EU SMEs. 
                                               
2 For instance, Japanese companies participated in the IT equipment pilot; China in the photovoltaics 
pilot; the United States in the shoes pilot; Colombia and Switzerland in the coffee pilot; New Zealand in the meat pilot; and Norway in the fish pilot. WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  1.8.  The representative of India echoed the concer ns raised by Argentina. His delegation enquired 
on how the European Union would universalize the initiative; the criteria used to select the 
products for the pilots; and whether the selected products included some goods of export interest to developing countries. Finally, India recalled that paragraph 32(i) of the Doha Development 
Agenda focused on the effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation 
to developing countries. India was of the view that the impact of this initiative on market access should also be explored. 
1.9.  The representative of Cuba echoed the concerns raised by India and Argentina. Her 
delegation was of the view that the proliferat ion of such initiatives created unnecessary trade 
obstacles and developing country industries faced new difficulties exporting agricultural products. 
1.10.  The representative of Pakistan also endors ed the concerns raised by Argentina and India. 
His delegation was interested to know whether the product selection for the pilots took into 
account developing country interests. In his view, this initiative would impact developing country's market access, given their current capacity constraints to meet the environmental footprint 
schemes' requirements. 
1.11.  While acknowledging the importance of envi ronmental footprint schemes, the representative 
of South Africa was concerned about the trade ba rriers entailed by such schemes on Africa's 
agriculture and agro-products. Her delegation underscored the need to respect WTO rules while 
elaborating and implementing environmental foot print schemes. These schemes needed to be not 
more trade restrictive than necessary, non-discriminatory, based on sound science and international standards, and provide sufficient flexibility to allow alternatives and promote 
innovation.  
1.12.  While noting the close linkages betw een environmental footprints and sustainable 
development, the representative of Mexico echo ed the concern that these schemes could become 
unnecessary barriers to trade for SMEs and developing country exporters. 
1.13.  The representative of Australia was of the view that environmental footprint schemes, 
conditioning market access on the basis of shipping emissions and life cycle analysis, had the 
potential to become barriers for countries distant from the EU market, and, for instance, for 
countries with high carbon energy coefficient in electricity and a large water component. 
1.14.  The representative of the European Union ex plained that no decision regarding the future of 
the initiative had been taken. Any policy follow up would be decided upon the results of the pilot 
phase, once completed. His delegation confirmed that the European Union had no intention to 
move to a mandatory scheme, or to universalize the system. The initiative was a voluntary, open and transparent process. Operators could continue using other schemes. SMEs' specific concerns 
were also being taken into account through their active participation in the process, including in 
the governing body. In addition, software tools were being elaborated to enable SMEs to provide information on their products.  
1.2  Second Part of Paragraph 32(i): "Those  Situations in Which the Elimination or 
Reduction of Trade Restrictions and Distor tions Would Benefit Trade, the Environment 
and Development" 
1.2.1  Illegal Logging 
1.2.1.1  Cameroon's experience  
1.15.  The representative from Cameroon presented an overview of the efforts undertaken to 
promote trade in legal timber and timber produc ts. The forestry sector represented the third 
largest sector of Cameroon's economy, with 95% of national timber production solely intended for 
export. Since the nineties, Cameroon had significantly reformed its forestry policy with the revision and adoption of new laws and programs, including the Forest Sector Environment Program. Efforts 
to control illegal forestry activities involved transparency in the allocation of licenses to economic 
operators in the forestry sector. These licenses were issued by a commission supported by an independent observer, which also assisted a number of agencies and operators with the monitoring 
and control of forestry activities. Forestry and fauna activities control relied on the participation of WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  all stakeholders and included military training for staff, rangers and contractual forestry workers to 
combat poaching. In addition to the publication of  the licenses in newspapers and the internet, all 
relevant information on fore stry was also made public. 
1.16.  As part of the strategy to strengthen forestry governance and promote legal timber 
production, Cameroon signed a Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Voluntary 
Partnership Agreement (FLEGT VPA) with the Eu ropean Union in 2010. The agreement aimed at 
providing traceable verified legal timber to th e EU market. Although the FLEGT VPA had been 
ratified in 2011, Cameroon was still in the process of establishing the legality verification and 
traceability systems required to fully implement it. The first certificates of legality were issued in June 2014, while the first licenses under the FLEGT VPA were expected to be issued in 2015.  
1.17.  The representative of the European Union welcomed the measures undertaken by Cameroon 
to increase transparency in the forest sector and reduce the risk of corrupt practices. Her 
delegation noted that although the FLEGT VPA was not yet fully operational, major progress had been made on a number of fronts.  
1.2.1.2  China's experience  
1.18.  The representative of China provided an update on their progress in combating illegal 
logging and associated trade. China was involved in bilateral cooperation, with the European Union 
and a number of other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Japan.3 At the regional 
level, China participated actively in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade, which recently agreed to discuss the initiative proposed by China on a "Regional Timber Legality Recognition Mechanism".  
1.19.  In addition, China participated in international research cooperation, such as the Forest 
Governance, Market and Climate Programme in  collaboration with the United Kingdom's 
Department for International Development (DFID), and the SMEs Capacity Building Project 
developed by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). China and the United 
Kingdom had also initiated in 2009 a Joint Study to Assess Options for a Chinese Timber Legality Verification Scheme, aimed at establishing a timber legality verification system with simple 
procedures and low cost, and eventually facilitating timber producer countries' exports of 
sustainably managed and legal timber. 
1.20.  A Guide on Overseas Sustainable Forest Management and Utilization by Chinese Enterprises 
had been issued. China was further developing a Guide on Overseas Sustainable Forest Products 
Trade and Investment by Chinese Enterprises in order to encourage Chinese firms, along the 
entire timber supply chain, to engage in legal and sustainable timber processing, trade and investment, overseas.  
1.21.  China was also strengthening domestic administration of the timber processing industry, 
with intensified monitoring and supervision of the domestic timber market, and the implementation of an improved governmental green procurement scheme with specific legally 
sourced timber requirements. The administration of endangered wood species import had been 
reinforced in order to fulfil international obligations, including those established under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered  Species (CITES), and assist exporting source 
countries in promoting legal and sustainable use of forest resources. Under China's forest 
certification scheme, two recently published standards, the Forest Management Certification 
Standard and the Chain of Certification Standard, along with the creation of a certification body, provided firms with a timber tracking system. In parallel, China was promoting stronger self-
discipline in the market by raising awareness on illegal logging with the publication of a guide on 
green consumption and the organization of training activities. 
1.22.  The representative of the European Unio n noted that China was becoming increasingly 
active in global forest policy issues. China's initiatives, both at the national level and in third 
countries, were welcomed. His delegation hoped that the European Union could continue to 
                                               
3 Bilateral co-operation activities included Chin a-EU FLEGT Bilateral Coordination Mechanism, a 
dedicated bilateral forum on combating illegal logging and related trade established under the framework of 
China-US Strategic and Economic Dial ogue, and China-Australia Working Gr oup on Combatting Illegal Logging. WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  cooperate with any interested country to help eliminate illegal logging by combining capacity 
building with supply-side measures in the EU market.  
1.23.  The representative of Canada noted that China had become a major export destination for 
Canada, representing about 20% of all Canadian timber exports. His delegation was interested in 
receiving additional information on the joint mechanisms between government, industries and 
research bodies, as well as on the work related to mutual recognition of legal certifications, especially with other developing countries and timber producing countries. His delegation also 
enquired on the implementation of China's bilateral cooperation efforts, including expected 
timelines; on the experience of participating ente rprises in the pilot projects; and the impact on 
their access to foreign markets.  
1.24.  The representative of China explained that the cross sector coordination mechanism 
associated with the Guide on Overseas Sustainable Forest Management and Utilization by Chinese 
Enterprises involved the State Forestry Administration in charge of coordinating the participation of timber-related sectors and companies, and the Mini stry of Commerce in charge of overseeing and 
monitoring Chinese investment loans. There was close consultation with the industry and 
companies involved in timber-related sectors to determine the most appropriate way to comply with the host country's laws and related international laws regulating timber-related activities. 
1.2.1.3  Chinese Taipei's experience 
1.25.  The representative of Chinese Taipei referred to the Forest Act, pursuant to which a permit, 
issued by the competent authority, was required to  cut and place timber on the market. Failing to 
comply with this requirement resulted in large fines. A research and development organization had 
also been entrusted to define certificates of origin of domestic timber in order to combat illegal 
logging. Imports of legally harvested timber were subject to certain regulations in accordance with CITES Appendices. Chinese Taipei welcomed international dialogue towards combatting illegally 
harvested and traded forest resources, including their active participation in APEC Expert Group on 
Illegal Logging and Associated Trade.  
1.2.1.4  Mexico's experience  
1.26.  The representative of Mexico presented the Zero Tolerance for Illegal Logging policy, whose 
implementation began in 2007 in the central states of Mexico, and since 2011 expanded 
nationwide. The policy mainly involved conducting inspection and surveillance at different stages of the forestry production chain. In addition, different compensation mechanisms, through the 
granting of payments for environmental servic es, had been developed to support activities 
reducing deforestation and forest degradation. Diffe rent entities at the federal level, as well as 
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector took part in those mechanisms. At 
the international level, Mexico participated actively in the United Nations Forum on Forestry 
(UNFF).  She noted their recent voluntary national report submitted to UNFF referred to the lack of international cooperation to address and develop the socioeconomic aspects of sustainable forest 
management, as described in UNFF mandate. 
1.2.1.5  Chile's experience  1.27.  The representative of Chile explained that fo restry-related activities in Chile were regulated 
by two pieces of legislation: Decree Law 701 on  the promotion of forestation, and Law 20283 on 
native forest recovery and forest development. Both laws and their rules of procedure established 
the requirements to be fulfilled, and the applicable legal sanctions in case of non-compliance. In particular, any logging activities in native forests failing to be carried out by the terms of a 
management plan approved by the National Fore stry Agency was considered as illegal logging. 
Similar requirements applied to all activities involving logging, destruction or uprooting of xerophytic plants. Similarly, transportation or stockpiling of primary products from native forests 
was forbidden without a bill of transport, issued by the National Forestry Agency, certifying the 
legal origin of the products. Native species under risk of extinction, such as Larch and Araucaria, were also protected by special regulations. WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  1.2.1.6  United Nations Forum on Forests 
1.28.  The representative of the United Nations Fo rum on Forests (UNFF) provided an overview of 
UNFF's activities related to FLEGT. Established in 2000, UNFF was mandated to promote 
sustainable forest management and strengthen lo ng-term political commitment towards forests. 
The Non-Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests (Forest Instrument), adopted in 2007, 
contained provisions on international cooperation as well as on means of implementation, including monetary assessment, capacity building, finance, and technology transfer. In particular, according 
to Article 6(n), the parties agreed to strengthen law enforcement, and combat and eradicate illegal 
practices. Article 6(x) further called on the harvesting of sustainable managed forests and the improvement of market transparency according to parties' domestic legislation.  
1.29.  Pursuant to Forest Instrument provisions on  monitoring and reporting, parties submitted, on 
a biennial basis, national reports on the steps ta ken to prevent and reduce illegal forest-related 
activities. A review of 57 national reports rece ived in 2013 suggested that member countries had 
either improved the enforcement of  their existing legislation, including export and import controls; 
amended existing legislation; or, adopted new legi slation on FLEGT and illegally harvested forest 
products, including in the context of international agreements such as CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and regional or bilateral agreements such as EU FLEGT VPAs. The 
Collaborative Partnership of Forests (CPF), an informal voluntary arrangement among 14 
international organisations and secretariats, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Bank, the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), prov ided support to UNFF work and member countries 
on specific and technical aspects of forestry, in cluding FLEGT. The upcoming UNFF session, taking 
place in May 2015, would review and assess the so-called International Arrangement of Forests, encompassing, among other things, UNFF, its Secretariat, the CPF, and the Forest Instrument. 
1.30.  The representative of the European Unio n underscored UNFF's continued efforts to promote 
global discussion on forest issues and sustainable management of all types of forests. 
Strengthening forest governance and law enforcement were pre-requisites to combat illegal 
logging and associated trade. His delegation was of the view that the current review of the 
International Arrangement on Forests represented a unique opportunity to develop a more effective and cost-efficient arrangement, tailored to address the 21
st century challenges 
affecting forests. 
1.31.  The representative of the Bolivarian Repub lic of Venezuela was interested to learn more 
about the nature of UNFF's collaborative work with the United Nations initiative on Reducing 
Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD+), and whether there had been 
any technical study on forestry products, that would be relevant to the WTO. 
1.32.  The representative of the Plurinationa l State of Bolivia enquired about the actions 
undertaken by UNFF to provide additional support to protect forests in developing countries, in line 
with different existing approaches to achieve sustainable development.  
1.33.  The representative of UNFF explained that, being primarily a political body, UNFF lacked the 
capacity to finance projects on its own. Instead,  UNFF was involved in a number of projects with 
several countries and collaborated with FAO in capacity building projects. The relationship between 
UNFF and UN-REDD+, and more generally the ongoing discussions under the United Nations 
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) , although limited, wa s a recurring topic of 
discussion. The issue of finance to enhance implementation means, including the idea of 
establishing a "global fund on forests", also remained a topic of discussion in UNFF.  
1.2.1.7  Convention on International Trad e in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna 
and Flora (CITES) 
1.34.  The Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of 
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) stressed that countries were increasingly turning to CITES as a 
regulatory instrument, to assist them in ensuring the legality of timber and timber products trade. 
While only 18 timber species were listed in CITES Appendices at the inception of CITES in 1975, 
the number had increased to several hundred timber species, following their inclusion at the last 
Conference of the Parties (COP-16). The listing of any timber species under CITES placed an WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  obligation on the source State willing to export a CITES-listed timber species to (i) demonstrate 
the legal acquisition of the listed timber in accordance with national law, and (ii) provide a scientific non-detriment finding attesting to the sustainability of the amount of listed timber harvested. In parallel, the importing State had the obligation: (i) not to accept any listed timber 
species without the necessary permits; and (ii) to seize and confiscate any illegally traded listed 
timber species.  
1.35.  CITES was also part of the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), 
regrouping also INTERPOL, the UN Office of Dr ugs and Crime (UNODC), the World Bank, and the 
World Customs Organization (WCO), and aimed at pr oviding, upon a country's request, support to 
customs and police officials, prosecutors and other actors dealing with illegal wildlife trade, including timber and timber products. ICCWC recently launched a Wildlife Incident Support Team 
in Madagascar to halt the surge in the illegal trade in Rosewood. In addition, CITES was teaming 
up with UNODC to focus on the forensics of ivory and timber in order to enhance their identification and traceability back to the source through DNA or isotopes. Under the Program for 
Implementing CITES Listings of Tropical Timber Species, CITES in collaboration with ITTO, was 
also working with local communities in Indonesia, Peru and Cameroon to ensure trade in Ramin, Mahogany and African Cherry, respectively, was scientifically sustainable. 
1.36.  The representative of the European Union underscored the critical role played by CITES to 
ensure the international trade in listed timber species did not compromise forests survival through 
illegal logging and unsustainable exports. The Eu ropean Union had been working with CITES and 
ITTO for a number of years to assist developing countries in the implementation of their 
commitments under both agreements. 
1.37.  The Secretary-General of CITES acknowledged the significant European Union funding 
contribution to the ITTO-CITES Program which, now in the second phase, had enabled national 
authorities and local communities to effectively implement the timber listings.   
1.2.2  Natural Gas Sector 1.2.2.1  Qatar's experience  
1.38.  The representative of Qatar presented the environmental benefits of free and fair trade in 
natural gas. Her delegation noted that many fact ors explained the decrease in the import growth 
of natural gas over the last 14 years, including a shift from long-term contracts to spot market. However, her delegation was of the view that tariff barriers were the main impediment to the 
importation of natural gas. The average bound tariffs encompassing natural gas products in 
developing countries ranged, on average, from 32% to 35%, with three WTO Members displaying bound tariffs at 100%. In addition, these tariff lines were unbound in 47 WTO Members. Similarly, 
applied MFN tariffs on natural gas products in developing countries ranged, on average, from 3% 
to 5%, but for one WTO Member amounted to 35%. 
1.39.  Her delegation recalled Qatar's proposal to consider natural gas products as environmental 
goods in the negotiations on Paragraph 31(iii) of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). 
The elimination of trade barriers on natural gas wo uld reduce their cost and increase use in the 
global mix of energy sources. As a result, the incr easing use of natural gas, as the cleanest fossil 
fuel, would reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhance global efforts to achieve 
environmental sustainability as part of the Millennium Development Goals, and reduce the 
implementation cost of a global climate change agreement. The reduction in energy cost, along 
with trade growth, would also increase a country's wealth, leading to an increase in living 
standards and a stricter implementati on of environmental regulations. 
1.40.  The State of Qatar, as the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas, was committed to 
enhance the environmental conditions in the country. The oil and gas sector submitted annually a 
Sustainable Development Report covering industry performance on, inter alia , health, safety, 
environment, and climate change. According to  the 2014 Sustainable Development Report, 
progress had been achieved in many areas, includ ing in the reduction of air pollution, freshwater 
use, and electricity consumption. In addition, a number of projects on environmentally-friendly 
technologies related to air pollution, GHGs, water, and renewable energy were ongoing or planned. WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  1.41.  The representative of the Kingdom of Ba hrain strongly supported the idea of a tariff 
reduction for natural gas. 
1.42.  The representative of the European Union explained that they encouraged best practices 
and technological development in mining extraction to minimize the environmental impact. Her 
delegation referred to a recent WTO ruling wh ich concluded that the imposition of export 
restrictions was not an effective tool to protect the environment by shifting the supply of raw materials to the domestic market in a discriminatory manner.  
1.43.  The representative of Argentina was interested to know whether the challenges faced by 
operators trading internationally in natural gas were more related to infrastructure issues than 
tariffs. 
1.44.  The representative of Qatar was of the view  that tariffs, not infrastructure, were the main 
obstacles to trade in natural gas. 
2  OTHER BUSINESS 2.1  Initiative on Environmental Goods Agreement 
2.1.  On behalf of the representative of Australia, the representative of Costa Rica reported on the 
two negotiating rounds that took place following the formal launch of the negotiations on the 
Initiative on Environmental Goods on 8 July 2014. The first round, held on 9 and 10 July 2014, 
was dedicated to set the framework for the negotiations. The second round, held from 22 to 
26 September 2014, focused on a possible list of pr oduct categories of environmental goods. An 
initial information exchange on products under two specific categories, namely air pollution control and solid and hazardous waste management, also took place. Additionally, ways to build on the 
APEC List and ensure the environmental credibili ty of product nominations were explored. The 
work would continue at the next meeting in Dece mber 2014. The EGA negotiations remained open 
to other WTO Members similarly committed to liberalization. An additional WTO Member was 
expected to join the negotiations, while many others had expressed genuine interest to join.  
2.2.  The delegation of Peru reiterated her opposi tion to a list of environmental goods, negotiated 
plurilaterally, which would fail to encompass products of interest to developing countries, such as 
biodiverse and organic products. 
2.3.  The delegation of Cuba endorsed the st atement of Peru. Her delegation was opposed to 
plurilateral negotiations, as they excluded a great number of interested WTO Members. In her 
view, any outcome in the WTO had to involve the participation of all WTO Members during the 
negotiations. In addition, her delegation considered that this matter should be discussed in the 
CTE in Special Session and not in regular session.  
2.4.  The representative of the Bolivarian Repub lic of Venezuela recalled that the EGA initiative 
was not taking place under WTO auspices and, as such, was in no way related to the on-going 
negotiations on DDA Paragraph 31(iii). 
2.5.  The representative of Chile sought clarification regarding the concerns expressed by some 
Members over the plurilateral nature of the EGA initiative negotiation.  2.6.  The representative of Australia recalled that the EGA would contribute to a cleaner 
environment and better access to safe water, sanitation and clean energy, by making 
environmental goods cheaper and more accessible, as well as fostering innovation and facilitating 
more investment in cutting-edge climate and clean energy technologies. The negotiations would 
also reinforce the rules-based multilateral system by being open and extending tariff elimination to 
all WTO Members. Furthermore, the EGA would enter into force only when a critical mass of global 
trade in the relevant goods was covered.  
2.7.  The representative of South Africa echoed th e concerns raised by the Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela. Her delegation noted that the EGA initiative was at the early stages of the negotiations 
and required much further technical work, including refining the lists of environmental goods in 
terms of greater product specificity and Harmonized System (HS) codes. Her delegation was WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  interested to know whether criteria had been established to define environmental goods, and how 
and at what stage of the negotiations existing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) would be addressed.  
2.8.  The representative of the Plurinational St ate of Bolivia echoed the concerns expressed by 
Cuba and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Her delegation was of the view that plurilateral 
agreements undermined multilateral efforts. In her opinion, any plurilateral process had to reflect 
the needs of all WTO Members and be development-oriented according to the DDA.  
2.9.  The representative of Costa Rica reiterated that the EGA initiative was open to all 
WTO Members. The countries participating in the EGA initiative also remained open, both 
individually and as a group, to discuss bilaterally with all concerned WTO Members.  
2.2  Briefings by International Organizations 2.2.1  Briefing by the Organization for Ec onomic Cooperation and Development (OECD)  
2.10.  The representative of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) 
provided an overview of their work on the use of  environmental provisions within regional trade 
agreement (RTAs). Following the 2007 release of th e publication "Environment and Regional Trade 
Agreements", which reviewed, inter alia , the types of environmental provisions and the rationale 
and benefits to incorporate such provisions in RTAs, the OECD prepared annual updates on recent developments, including impact assessments of RTAs on the environment. As a follow-up, a 
checklist for negotiators and a review of countries' experiences in assessing the effectiveness of 
environmental provisions in RTAs had also been published. 
2.11.  More recently, a study on the emerging tren ds and policy drivers highlighted an increase, in 
the last six years, in the number of RTAs with substantive environmental provisions beyond an 
exception clause similar to GATT Article XX. Substantive environmental provisions incorporated in 
RTAs and their associated environmental side ag reements included, amongst others, commitments 
to uphold environmental law, promote environmental cooperation, and enhance public 
participation, as well as specific dispute settlement mechanisms to address environmental 
concerns. Besides analytical work, the OECD organised workshops and outreach activities. The latest workshop, held in Viet Nam in September 2014, focused, inter alia , on how the different 
types of provisions used in RTAs related to South-East Asian countries' sustainable development 
priorities, and on how to undertake an evaluation of the environmental effects of RTAs both prior 
and during negotiations. A negotiation simulation exercise on how to address issues in the environmental chapter of RTAs was also organi zed. The OECD would continue to analyse the 
evolution of environmental provisions in RTAs , but also review the methods to evaluate ex-post  
environmental effects. 
2.12.  The representative of China was interested to know whether there were any substantial 
environmental obligations subject to RTA arbitration procedures. 2.13.  The representative of the European Unio n underscored the importance of the OECD's work 
in identifying the different approaches used by countries to include environmental provisions in 
RTAs. Her delegation welcomed the workshop held in Viet Nam, which had provided an opportunity 
to bring together both OECD and non-OECD Me mbers, including from the private sector, to 
contribute to a deeper understanding of how RTAs and environmental policies could be mutually supportive.  
2.14.  The representative of Canada underscored the valuable experience of the recent workshop 
held in Viet Nam, especially the simulation exerci se. Canada would continue to support work in this 
area through the OECD Joint Working Party on Trade and Environment. 
2.15.  The representative of OECD confirmed the existence of substantive environmental 
provisions in RTAs subject to dispute settlemen t procedures established under those RTAs. The 
issue of ex-post assessment of dispute settlemen t cases involving environmental provisions in 
RTAs was part of the OECD's future research work. WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  2.2.2  Briefing by the United Na tions Environment Programme (UNEP) 
2.16.  The representative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reported on their 
work on international trade in the context of green economy. UNEP continued to undertake and 
publish research, such as the report "Green  Economy and Trade – Trends, Challenges and 
Opportunities", and the study on "South-South Tr ade in Renewable Energy: A Trade Flow Analysis 
of Selected Environmental Goods". The third edit ion of "Trade and Green Economy: A Handbook" 
would be released shortly providing policymakers, civil servants, and academics with an overview 
of the environmental, legal and economic develo pments shaping the future of trade associated 
with the transition to a greener and more inclusive economy.  
2.17.  Country engagement also remained a prio rity with the identification and assessment, 
through national stakeholder engagement, of policies and enabling conditions necessary to 
maximize concrete national sectoral trade opportunities. Two new countries would be added to the 
existing three pilot countries: Ghana, Peru and Vi et Nam. In addition, as of 2015, trade-related 
country engagement activities supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs would 
be stepped up in the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) to progressively assist a 
total of 30 countries in their efforts to embark on green economy pathways. UNEP also continued to be engaged in international outreach, through high-level conferences, targeted training and 
workshops, and a rich network of partners around  the world, such as the Green Growth Knowledge 
Platform (GGKP) and the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards (UNFSS).  
2.18.  While recognizing UNEP's broad experience in capacity building, the representative of the 
Plurinational State of Bolivia suggested devoting some activities to other approaches and visions 
promoting sustainable development, and not only to the concept of green economy. 
2.19.  The representative of the European Union underscored the importance of the ongoing 
project on Green Economy and Trade Opportunities in addressing the concerns related to the 
debate on "green economy and trade", including th e fear of "green protectionism". In her view, 
this project would support developing country governments in the identification of concrete trade opportunities associated with the transition to  a green economy, while reducing the risk of 
structural changes through appropriate policy reforms and greater access to technologies and 
know-how. 
2.20.  The representative of Switzerland noted that UNEP's work touched upon very different 
policy areas, some of which were particularly relevant for trade and the CTE. 
2.2.3  Briefing by the Food and Agricultur e Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 
2.21.  The representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 
presented the 2014 edition of the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), which 
highlighted the important role played by fisher ies and aquaculture as a source of food and 
contributor to economic growth and developmen t, jobs, income and livelihoods. Total world 
production of capture fisheries and aquaculture continued to be on the rise, with 
136 million tonnes of fish supplied for food in 2012, standing at an all-time high of 20 kilos per 
person. The contribution of aquaculture in worldwide fish consumption continued to rise as well, with a 49% share in 2012, and would continue increasing to meet the growing global demand for fishery products, particularly in developing countries, and help eliminate hunger, food insecurity 
and malnutrition. Over the last 30 years, the international fish trade had also progressively 
entered into a globalised value chain, thanks to a number of factors, including the dramatic falls in transport and communication costs; the outsourcing of the preparation processing to countries 
with comparatively low wages and production costs; increasing consumption of fishery products, 
adoption of free trade policies; more efficien t distribution and marketing processes; and 
technological innovations, including in processing , packaging and transportation. International fish 
trade was valued at 136 billion US dollars in 2013, wi th China as the world's largest fish exporter.  
2.22.  The representative of New Zealand stressed the importance of a predictable, open and 
transparent trade regime in fisheries products, as highlighted in the 2014 SOFIA report, which 
identified fisheries subsidies, tariff and non-tariff barriers as major factors affecting trade in 
fisheries products. Her delegation recalled the concerns of the "Friends of Fish" Ministers, 
expressed at the Ninth WTO Ministerial Conference, about the deteriorating state of world fisheries WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  resources and the increasing use of harmful fisheries subsidies since the launch of the Doha 
Round. In her view, efforts in addressing ille gal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing 
remained mixed, underscoring the need to adopt measures to combat IUU fishing, including the 
FAO guidelines for Flag State Performance and the FAO Port State Measures Agreement.  
2.23.  The representative of Ecuador underscored the importance of artisanal fisheries, as an 
important source of job and protein-rich food in developing countries, although there was no 
internationally agreed definition of this type of fishery. Ecuador was committed to promoting the 
sustainable development of artisanal fishing by, inter alia , providing and maintaining basic 
infrastructure, improving fishing vessels, and training fishermen. Her delegation was of the view that the elimination and prohibition of fisheries subsidies should focus on mechanised industrial fisheries, designated in a recent UNEP report as the main type of fishing activity responsible for 
worldwide over-fishing.  
2.24.  Ecuador was also engaged in combating IUU fishing, including through the use of satellite 
monitoring to record the positions of industrial and artisanal fishing vessels. A national plan was in 
preparation for 2015 to promote the sustainable management of fisheries under Ecuador's national 
policies and pursuant to the provisions of international law and instruments, such as the FAO's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter 
and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulate d Fishing (IPOA-IUU). In addition, Ecuador had 
adopted a catch certification plan to comply with the EU's IUU legislation. 
2.25.  The representative of Australia echoed many of the concerns raised by New Zealand, in 
particular the growing percentage of global fisheries stocks either at risk of, or already being 
overfished or depleted. His delegation underscored the urgent action required to maintain and 
restore fish stocks, including by tackling fisheries subsidies. 
2.26.  The representative of the European Union supported the concerns expressed by 
New Zealand and Australia. Her delegation noted that, according to the 2014 SOFIA report, the 
proportion of overfished stocks in European wate rs fell significantly from 2003 to 2011 largely due 
to the establishment in recent years of total allowable catches set at a maximum sustainable level. 
The European Union and its member States would continue their efforts to phase out overfishing 
within European waters and invited others countries to do the same in their waters. 
2.27.  The representative of China was interested to know whether and what kind of structured 
and coordinated approach would have to be taken in international trade to help tackle global 
environmental issues, such as overfishing or climate change. 
2.28.  The representative of Norway echoed the main concerns raised by New Zealand, Australia 
and the European Union. Her delegation underscored the need to address WTO disciplines on 
fisheries subsidies, because any subsidies aimed at increasing the catch capacity or supporting 
operational cost would lead to even more over-capacity and over-fishing.  
2.29.  The representative of Chile was of the view  that subsidies, particularly the larger ones, 
specifically affecting diesel had to be addressed, because they supported the mobilisation of large 
fleets around the globe and impacted heavily on fish stocks. 
2.30.  The representative of Argentina endorsed the statements made by New Zealand, Australia, 
Norway and Chile regarding the growing number of fi sh stocks at risk and the need to discipline 
fisheries subsidies.  
2.31.   The representative of Peru supported th e statements of previous delegations concerning 
the environmental, economic and development challe nges resulting from worldwide over-fishing of 
marine resources. 
2.32.  The representative of FAO referred to the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable 
Small-scale Fisheries in the Context of Food Security and Poverty Eradication (SSF Guidelines), 
which were approved at the Committee on Fisheries in June 2014. FAO was now in the process of 
moving to the next step with the implementation of the SSF Guidelines. In addition, the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and the Port State Measures Agreement, were some of the WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  global instruments negotiated under FAO auspices and available to promote sustainable 
management of fisheries, and address IUU fishing. 
2.3  Briefings by Multilater al Environmental Agreements 
2.3.1  Briefing by the Convention on Intern ational Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora (CITES) 
2.33.  The Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of 
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) underscored the serious spike in illegal trade of a number of CITES-
listed species, in particular the African elephant and rhinoceros, subject to industrial-scale 
poaching involving transnational organized criminal groups. The last meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, held in July 2014, discussed this issue along with other topics, such as species trade and conservation, livelihood, and cooperation with other organizations. The Standing 
Committee also notified to a number of parties the need to improve and bring into full compliance 
their domestic legislation with CITES requirements within the next 12 months or face the risk of trade suspension.  
2.34.  CITES continued to cooperate with other international organizations, such as FAO on marine 
issues; the International Trade Centre (ITC) on tr ade in python skins; WCO on the transition to 
electronic CITES permits; and the United Na tions Conference on Trade and Development 
(UNCTAD), the UN Development Program (UNDP) and ITC on the benefits to indigenous and local 
communities from sustainable wildlife trade. CITES was also working with the private sector on the establishment of an Impact Investment Fund to invest in better technologies for traceability and identification at affordable prices. More recently CITES had been invited to share experience on the 
management of CITES species appendices list in the context of the plurilateral environmental 
goods initiative.  
2.3.2  Briefing by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 
2.35.  The representative of the Convention on Bi ological Diversity (CBD) reported on a number of 
trade-related decisions adopted at the twelfth me eting of the Conference of the Parties to CBD 
(COP-12), held in the Republic of Korea, from 29 September to 17 October 2014. The parties 
reaffirmed their commitment to an overall substantial increase in total biodiversity related funding 
for the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020. The parties further adopted milestones to identify existing incentives, including subsidies harmful to biodiversity, and to establish a prioritized list of measures to eliminate, phase-out, or reform these harmful 
incentives by 2020 at the latest (Aichi Biodiversity Target 3). The parties also adopted voluntary 
guidelines on devising and implementing measures to address the risks associated with the import and transport within and between countries of invasive alien species as pets, aquarium and 
t e r r a r i u m  s p e c i e s ,  a s  w e l l  a s  l i v e  b a i t  a n d  l i v e  food. The parties further agreed to explore, in 
collaboration with relevant partner organizations participating in the Inter-agency Liaison Group on Invasive Alien Species, ways and methods of alerting suppliers and potential buyers to the risk 
posed by invasive alien species sold via e-commerce.  
2.36.  In addition, at the seventh Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, 
parties considered, among other items, cooperation with other organizations, conventions and initiatives; handling, transport, packaging and identification of living modified organisms; risk 
assessment and risk management; and unintentional transboundary movements of living modified 
organisms. Parties further requested the CBD Executive Secretary to continue efforts to gain observer status in WTO committees relevant to biosafety. The first Meeting of the Parties to the 
Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits 
Arising out of Their Utilization (COP/MOP-1), which entered into force on 12 October 2014, was 
also held. The parties agreed, among other issues, on cooperative procedures and an institutional 
mechanism to promote compliance, including the establishment of a compliance committee; 
capacity building and development to facilitate its effective implementation; and modalities of a 
global multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism.  
2.37.  The representative of the Republic of Korea noted that the outcomes of COP-12 would 
strengthen country and stakeholders' capacity to im plement their respective biodiversity strategies 
and action plans. WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  2.38.  The representative of the European Union welcomed COP-12 outcomes, in particular 
COP/MOP-1 to the Nagoya Protocol, where parties agreed to a number of actions that would 
facilitate effective implementation, including through enhanced resource mobilisation.   
2.3.3  Briefing by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 
(UNFCCC) 
2.39.  The representative of the United Nati ons Framework Convention on Climate Change 
(UNFCCC) reported, through videoconference, on the main outcomes of the last Conference of the 
Parties to UNFCCC (COP-19), held in Warsaw in December 2014. The parties were called upon to 
come forward with their intended nationally dete rmined contributions, in terms of a quantified 
economy-wide emissions reduction target or nationally appropriate mitigation actions. The parties also agreed to enhance the ambition for the pre-2020 period in order to ensure the highest 
possible mitigation efforts by all parties under U NFCCC. The parties decided to request the Ad Hoc 
Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action  (ADP) to accelerate the development 
of a new legal instrument applicable to all parties that would limit the world to a less than 
2-degree Celsius rise in global temperature. In pa rticular, ADP had been tasked to explore options 
for a range of actions that could close the ambition gap, and further elaborate elements for a draft 
negotiating text on mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology development and transfer, as well 
as capacity-building and transparency of action and support.  
2.40.  Prior to COP-20 to be held in Lima in December 2014, ADP met on two occasions to clarify 
the way forward for the new international climate agreement to be agreed at COP-21 in Paris in 
2015. In addition, a Climate Summit was held on 23 September 2014 in New York, at the 
invitation of the UN Secretary-General, to catalyse climate change mitigation actions and mobilize political will for an ambitious new international climate agreement. During the event, a large 
number of governments made national action and ambition announcements, while many non-
governmental actors, cities and municipal enti ties delivered pledges and commitments. Several 
multilateral and multi-stakeholder actions were also announced, such as the African Clean Energy 
Corridor, the Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture, the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, and 
the Divest-Invest Global Movement.  
2.41.  The representative of China stressed their commitment to take responsibilities compatible 
with their development level and capabilities in addressing climate change. His delegation noted 
that the New York Climate Summit demonstrated multilateral efforts to build political consensus in 
tackling climate change, which would provide new political impetus necessary to conclude a deal at COP-21 in 2015.  
2.42.  The representative of the European Union underscored the importance of adopting, by 
2015, a legally binding international agreement applic able to all parties, and raising the pre-2020 
global level of mitigation ambition in accordance with the requirements of science. Her delegation 
expected all major and emerging economies to come forward with proposed GHG reduction 
commitments, in order to be able to deliver a credible outcome in 2015. The European Union was also interested in exploring with other partners ways to raise the pre-2020 global mitigation ambition, such as initiatives to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), promote renewable energy 
and improve energy efficiency.  
2.43.  The representative of the Bolivarian Republic  of Venezuela referred to the social pre-COP to 
be held in Venezuela from 4 to 7 November 2014, with the aim of bringing together governments, 
NGOs and other social movements to discuss how to achieve successful results at COP-21 in 2015. 
2.4  Briefings by the WTO Secretariat on trade and environment issues 2.4.1  Briefing by the WTO Secretariat on recent developments regarding the United 
Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
2.44.  Following requests by several delegation s, the representative of the WTO Secretariat 
reported on recent developments regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs). The SDGs were a key element of the Po st-2015 Development Agenda. The origin of the 
SDGs could be traced back to the Rio+20 co nference held in 2012. The Rio+20 outcome 
document, The Future We Want, had set out the mandate to establish an Open Working Group WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  tasked with the development of a set of SDGs. Th e Open Working Group's work was organized into 
two main phases. The first phase focused on stock-taking and collecting views from UN Members, experts, and other stakeholders. During the second  phase, the Group prepared a report to the UN 
General Assembly containing a proposal on SDGs . The UN General Assembly decided in September 
2014 that the Open Working Group’s outcome document would be the main basis for integrating 
the SDGs into the future development agenda. 
2.45.  The report by the Open Working Group contained a set of proposed SDGs consisting of 17 
goals and 169 targets. Under goal 17, three targets were devoted explicitly to trade issues. Target 
17.10 called for the promotion of a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization, including through the conclusion of negotiations under its Doha Development Agenda, while targets 17.11 and 17.12 addressed 
exports of developing countries and the implemen tation of duty-free-quota-free market access for 
least developed countries, respectively. Several ot her targets addressed trade-related issues or 
areas of WTO work, including targets referring to: trade restrictions and distortions in world 
agricultural markets (target 2.b); the Doha Declar ation on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health 
(target 3.b); Aid for Trade (target 8.a); special and differential treatment for developing countries in accordance with the WTO Agreements (target 10.a); and certain forms of fisheries subsidies 
which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing (target 14.6). 
2.46.  In January 2015, the UN General Assembly wo uld embark on the task of finalizing the Post-
2015 Development Agenda. Finalisation would includ e SDGs and other possible elements such as a 
declaration, the means of implementation and glob al partnership for sustainable development, and 
the follow up and review framework. It was ex pected that the post-2015 development agenda 
would be adopted at a UN summit scheduled for September 2015. 
2.47.  The representative of Argentina underscored Goal number 8, which, as promoted by the 
G-20, called for the consistency between macroeconomic and labour policies. Other important 
objectives included Goal numbers 13 and 14, which, respectively, highlighted the importance to negotiate a global response to climate change, and eliminate fisheries subsidies contributing to 
overfishing within a special and differential treatment framework.  
2.48.  The representative of the European Un ion underscored the opportunity offered by the 
Post-2015 Development Agenda to recognise the im portant contribution of trade to inclusive 
growth and sustainable development, as well as to reflect emerging economies' growing 
engagement in global efforts towards poverty reduction and sustainable development. 
2.49.  The representative of New Zealand was of the view that the current trade-related targets 
proposed under the Post-2015 Development Agenda could be more ambitious and concrete, with a 
clear program of action. Her delegation suggested  the possibility to enhance the link between 
trade and sustainable development, by recognising trade as an important tool for sustainable development in enabling development and economic  growth, eradicating poverty and increasing 
government revenue. 
2.4.2  Briefing by the WTO Secretariat on Ty pes of Environmental Provisions in Regional 
Trade Agreements 
2.50.  In response to requests from several delegations, the representative of the WTO Secretariat 
made a presentation on the "Types of Environmen tal Provisions in Regional Trade Agreements". 
Over the last 20 years, the number of RTAs with environment-related provisions, as well as the 
scope of environment-related provisions in RTAs, had expanded. Of the 254 RTAs notified to the 
WTO up to May 2014, close to 98% contained an environment-related exceptions clause to the 
RTA obligations, modelled in many cases after GATT Article XX. References to the environment and sustainable development also appeared in the preamble and objectives of a relatively large 
number of RTAs. Yet, an increasing number of RTAs  and/or associated side agreement, negotiated 
between developed and developing countries, but also among developing countries, included environment-related provisions other than the preambular language and exceptions clause. For instance, provisions on domestic environmental regulations could range from the recognition of 
each party's right to establish its own levels of environmental protection and adopt environmental 
regulations to the commitment to neither weaken nor fail to enforce domestic environmental regulations in order to encourage trade and investment. Specific environment-related provisions WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  may include commitments on (i) MEAs; (ii) environmental goods, services and technologies, 
including fishery and forestry products; (iii) biodiversity and traditional knowledge; (iv) environmental co-operation; (v) complementary and voluntary mechanisms to enhance environmental performance, (vi) public participation, and (vii) transparency in the development 
and implementation of domestic environmen tal regulations and cooperative activities. 
2.51.  Finally, a number of RTAs provided for sp ecific consultations for any matter arising under 
the RTA's chapter on environment and/or associat ed side agreement. A limited number of RTAs 
further established specific dispute settlement procedures to resolve any dispute that could arise 
between parties regarding the provisions of the RTA chapter on environment and/or associated 
side agreement. Overall, the broad variety of environment-related provisions partly reflected 
differences of views among WTO Members on whet her and how to address environmental issues 
through RTA provisions. 
2.52.  The representative of South Africa underscored that the Secretariat's presentation 
demonstrated the increase in number and depth of environmental provisions in RTAs, particularly 
those between developed and developing countries. Her delegation supported further work on the 
subject to assess the impact of such provisions on trade flows and market access. 
2.53.  The representative of China referred to the recent free trade agreement (FTA) between 
China and Switzerland, which incorporated a spec ific chapter on environment. The environmental 
provisions called on the parties to (i) ensure th e level of environmental protection would not be 
reduced to attract investment or obtain a trade advantage; (ii) implement national environmental laws and multilateral environmental agreements ; (iii) not use environmental standards for 
protectionist trade purposes; (iv) facilitate inve stment and dissemination of goods, services and 
technologies beneficial effect to the environment; and (v) promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation on environmental issues. 
2.54.  The representative of Switzerland sought clarification regarding the method for calculating 
the total and average number of environmental provisions' categories in RTAs and expressed 
interest on further information regarding trends in types of environmental provisions.     
2.55.   The representative of New Zealand referred to the framework for integrating environment 
issues into trade agreements, adopted in 2001 and which formed the basis for the environmental 
provisions in New Zealand's recent FTAs. The framework underscores (i) the mutual supportiveness of trade and environmental policies;  (ii) a focus on the environmental objective 
promoted, rather than prescribing the method by which the objective should be reached; (iii) the 
respect of the right of governments to determine their own domestic regulations where these impacted only on the environment within their own jurisdiction and did not result in breaches of 
international rules on either environment or trade; and (iv) the elimination of export subsidies and 
other payments which encouraged increased production.   
2.56.  Recent FTAs signed by New Zealand included environment outcomes consistent with the 
above-mentioned framework. They comprised binding obligations covering issues such as: meeting 
obligations under MEAs; enforcing and maintaining environmental laws; misusing environmental laws or regulations for trade protection; promoting public awareness; cooperating on environmental issues of mutual interest; and consultation mechanisms to resolve matters that 
might arise among parties. Since 2006, New Zealand has completed more than 90 cooperation 
projects with partner countries which included, inter alia, capacity-building workshops, seminars, study tours and peer reviews.   
2.57.  The representative of the European Union echoed Switzerland's request for clarification on 
the method for calculating the number of environmental provisions' categories in RTAs and 
underscored that the European Union have adopted an evolutionary approach regarding 
environmental provisions in their FTAs, expanding the number and focus of provisions, as well as 
the level of ambition. Her delegation referred to the recent FTA between the European Union and Singapore and its "green tech annex", which also addressed non-tariff barriers, and expressed interest on further studies regarding how environmental provisions were being implemented.    
2.58.  The representative of Chinese Taipei referred to the chapter on environment in their 
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  environmental goods and included a list of envi ronmental goods containing 132 items under three 
major categories: equipment of renewable energy; reduction of pollution; and environmental monitoring and control equipment. 
2.59.  The representative of India sought information on whether RTAs between developed and 
developing countries included elements on transf er of technology regarding environmental goods, 
particularly in RTAs with commitments to re duce or eliminate tariffs on such goods.  
2.60.  The representative of Canada underscor ed the progress made on trade and environment 
issues in trade negotiations and indicated that Canada had also undertaken an evolutionary 
approach on the issue, from greater use of side agreements to the recent comprehensive economic and trade agreement concluded with the European  Union, which addressed environmental issues 
within the body of the text itself. His delegation referred to key provisions in Canada's RTAs which 
involved: high levels of environmental protection ; effective enforcement of environmental laws; no 
derogation from such laws to encourage trade or investment; promotion of transparency, accountability and public participation; further collaboration beyond initial negotiations; and 
general exemptions for environmental measures necessary to protect human, animal or plant 
health or relating to the conservation of living and non-living exhaustible natural resources.   
3  DATE OF NEXT MEETING 
3.1.  The date of the next meeting of the Co mmittee was scheduled for the first half of 2015.  
 
_______________ 
 WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  ANNEX 1: ITEMS OF THE CTE WORK 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 between 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 
charges 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, labelling and recycling. 
Item 4: The provisions of the multilateral trad ing 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 relationship between the disput e settlement mechanisms in the multilateral 
trading system and those found in mu ltilateral 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 Agreem ent on Trade-Related Aspects 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. 
  
 
  
 
  
 WT/CTE/M/58 
 
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  ANNEX 2: PARTS OF THE DOHA MINISTERIAL DECLARATION THAT RELATE  
TO THE WORK OF THE CTE 
 
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 Agreemen t on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights; and  
(iii) labelling requirements for environmental purposes. 
 Work on these issues should include the identifica tion of any need to clarify relevant WTO rules. 
The Committee shall report to the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference, and make 
recommendations, 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-discriminatory nature of the 
multilateral trading system, shall not add to or diminish the rights and obligations of members 
under existing WTO agreements, in particular th e 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 assist ance and capacity building in the field of trade 
and environment to developing countries, in part icular 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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