WT/MIN(24)/11/Add.2  
 
19 February 2024  
(24-1477) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
TRADE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRUCTURED DISCUSSIONS (TESSD)  
STATEMENT  BY THE TESSD CO -CONVENORS  
Addendum  
This addendum includes the outcome document of the TESSD Informal Working Group on 
Trade-related Climate Measures  (TrCMs) , accompanying the Statement by the TESSD Co -convenors 
circulated in document WT/MIN(24)/ 11. 
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INFORMAL WORKING GROUP ON TRADE -RELATED CLIMATE MEASURES  
Member Practices in the Development of TrCMs  
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1. This document provides a compilation of Member practices in the development of trade -related 
climate measures (TrCMs), based on elements of regulatory processes shared by Members at the 
TESSD meetings on 16 March, 11  May, 20 September, and 20 November 2023. Thi s document does 
not constitute an endorsement of any particular Member practice contained in this compilation. 
Rather, the aim of the document is to provide information and possible inspiration for the 
WTO membership and does not affect the regulatory rule s and practices of each Member.  
1  PRACTICES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRCMS  
Transparency and consultations : 
2. Members shared the following practices related to transparency and consultations that could 
be considered prior to, and during, the regulatory development process:  
• providing notice of proposed rules, where feasible;  
• providing opportunities for public participation and comment in the rule -making proce ss; 
• involving internal stakeholders from relevant ministries, departments and agencies;  
• establishing a dedicated inter -agency/ministry process on intended measures and policy 
options;  
• involving external stakeholders, including private sector, civil societ y, academia , and third 
country governments;  
• establishing an expert group with internal and external stakeholders to provide technical 
expertise and advice during regulatory process, including possibility to have third countries 
as observers, where appropri ate; 
• identifying ways for targeted consultations of MSMEs where possible, as they might have 
limited resources to participate in public consultations;  
• the possibility of consultation mechanisms at regional and local levels to ensure inclusiveness 
regarding  civil society participation;  WT/MIN(24)/11/Add.2  
 
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  • publication of draft measures and regular reports on proposed measures to the parliament 
and the public;  
• online portals or registries that provide public access to regulatory documents and 
information;  
• public access to legisla tive debates; and  
• use of non -technical language in communications with wider public and stakeholders.  
 
Impact assessments : 
3. Members shared the following elements related to regulatory impact assessments that could 
be considered as part of the regulatory process:  
• nature and significance of the problem;  
• assessment of existing policy options, and the impacts of those options in o rder to  put 
forward the most viable ones;  
• assessment of the potential environmental, economic, and social impacts of proposed 
regulations;  
• feasibility of proposed measures;  
• costs and benefits of the proposed measures,  including qualitative assessments,  as well as 
risks and potential unintended consequences;  
• impact of the proposed regulation on small businesses; and  
• impact of the proposed regulation on third countries, where appropriate.  
 
Review following implementation:  
4. Members shared the following practi ces related to the evaluation and implementation of 
measures that could be considered as part of the implementation process:  
• assessment of the effectiveness based on reports and feedback by government and 
stakeholders; and  
• monitoring of compliance, e.g. th rough audits, inspections, and verification activities.  
Considerations for TrCM policymaking:  
5. Members shared the following practices that could be considered as part of the design and 
implementation of TrCMs:  
• basing measures, to the extent possible, on bes t available evidence, science , and 
information;  
• considering regulatory approaches followed by other governments to address the same 
problem, where relevant;  
• designing with a view to facilitating implementation and reducing unnecessarily burdensome, 
duplicative , or divergent regulatory requirements;  
• ensuring consistency with multilateral rules and principles, including under the WTO, the 
UNFCCC, and the Paris Agreement;  
• ensuring that measures are not more trade restrictive than necessary;  
• aiming to minimize costs on industry and trading partners;  
• compatibility with or based on relevant international standards, where available;  
• supplementing measures with tools, such as guidelines or platforms with best practices;  
• supporting sustainable dev elopment efforts;  
• providing sufficient time to adapt to and comply with new requirements, where appropriate;  
• providing technical assistance and capacity building related to the implementation of TrCMs 
to address the specific needs of developing countries and MSMEs, where appropriate;  
• cooperating and engaging with international partners, including relevant international 
organizations, as necessary; and  
• conducting multilateral discussions within the WTO framework.  
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