WT/CTE/27  
 
15 December 2020  
(20-9102) Page: 1/11 
   
 
  
REPORT (20 20) OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT  
In 2020, under the Chairmanship of Ambassador  of Barbados Mr Chad Blackman, the 
Committee on Trade and Environment in Regular Session (CTE) held two formal meetings, on 3 July1 
and, on 16  and 20 November.2 The two meetings were hosted  in person and virtually, due to 
COVID -19 restrictions.  
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 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 a nd 
development"). Other items addressed by the CTE were item 14, item 45 and item 9 .6 
No discussion took place under Paragraph 32(ii) (relevant provisions of the 
TRIPS  Agreement); Paragraph 32(iii) (labelling requirements for environmental purposes); an d 
Paragraph  51 (developmental and environmental aspects of the negotiations).  
1   PARAGRAPH 32  OF THE DOHA MINISTERIAL DECLARATION  
1.1  Environmental measures and market access (Paragraph 32 (i) of the Doha Ministerial 
Declaration)   
"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."  
 
1.1.1   Structured Discussions on Trade and Environmental Sustainability   
1.1.  At the July meeting, Costa Rica , on behalf of the Group of Friends of Advancing Sustainable 
Trade (FAST), briefed the Committee about discussions for a propos ed Joint Ministerial Declaration 
on Trade and Environment al Sustainability. Costa Rica underscored that environmental sustainability 
should be one of the guiding principles of the wider WTO reform. The FAST group would promote 
the engagement with stakehold ers from private sector and civil society, as well as international 
organizations and academia. The group would not, however, dupli cate the regular work of the CTE 
or other WTO bodies. All delegations were invited to participate in the drafting process and  to join 
the declaration. One delegation supported the FAST group and joined the statement. Another 
 
1 Available through WT/CTE/M/69 , "Report of the Meeting held on 3 July 2020 ", Note by the Secretariat.  
2 To be circulated through WT/CTE/M/70 , "Report of the Meeting held on 16 and20  November 20 20", 
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 CTE 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."  
6 Item 9 of the CTE W ork Programme reads: "The work programme envisaged in the Decision on Trade 
in Services and the Environment."  WT/CTE/27  
 
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  delegation did not support the proposal and reiterated its concerns about including the issues of 
Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) and climate change in th e work of the CTE.  
1.2.  At the November meeting, Canada , on behalf of FAST, briefed delegations  on the side event 
launching the Structured Discussions on Trade and Environmental Sustainability held during the 
WTO Trade and Environment Week.7 The Structured Dis cussions (SD) had 23 co -sponsors8, 
representing 50 WTO Members, and the event had provided numerous insightful takeaway 
messages, including that the SD: should complement and enhance discussions within existing WTO 
bodies, including most importantly, the CTE; offer an opportunity for the WTO to demonstrate its 
credibility and relevance in the 21st century ; be open for a multi -stakeholder approach to achieve 
coherence and consistency; address global cross -border environmental challenges; and develop 
concret e ideas and proposals for action with an aim to identify deliverables by MC12. Canada noted 
that the SD would proceed with maximum transparency and inclusiveness and would keep the CTE 
apprised of developments and progress.  
1.3.  Several delegations welcomed the  initiative. Some delegations expressed their interest to 
contribute to the discussions, as they would be open to WTO Members. Some delegations noted that  
development issues, technical assistance and capacity building should constitute an important part 
of the discussions.  During the discussion several points were made including: the initiative had the 
capacity to address environmental challenges that could become impediments to sustainable 
development, including of Small Island Developing States (SIDS);  the SD should not result in 
duplication of work and there was a need to ensure coordination and collaboration, not only with 
other international institutions, but also with the private sector and civil society; different national 
circumstances and levels of development needed to be taken into consideration; it was important to  
discuss trade policies with environmental impacts at the WTO; and efforts should focus immediately 
on fisheries subsidies negotiations and subsequently, on how trade could contribute to efforts against 
climate change. Mauritius  shared its own national init iatives on sustainability issues in the country.  
1.1.2   Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics 
Trade 
1.4.  At the July meetin g, Fiji and China  updated the Committee on an informal discussion among 
Members on trade and plastic p ollution. They reported that i n February 2020, they had co-hosted 
an informal consultation attended by 48 delegations. Several delegations supported then the launch 
of a WTO plastic initiative at MC12. Fiji and China suggested organizing another open consu ltation 
alongside the November  2020 session of the CTE and to create an informal friends' group on the 
topic. China  noted that addressing the issue could demonstrate that the WTO was still relevant for 
emerging topics of concern for stakeholders. Substanti ve debate was held on the proposal by China 
and Fiji to engage in discussions on the role of trade and the WTO to tackle polluting plastics . 
1.5.  Sri Lanka,  as a co-sponsor of this initiative , stated that plastic pollution at sea reduced the 
sustainability of f isheries resources and could affect the effectiveness of the results of the fisheries 
subsidies negotiations. Trade should support national efforts to reduce production and consumption 
of polluting plastics and WTO Members should seize the growing momentum  on the topic.  Several 
delegations welcomed the initiative.  One delegation  suggested the topic could be discussed under 
the umbrella of the proposed Informal Working Group on Trade and Environmental Sustainability, 
while other delegations  noted that the in itiative should ensure its complementarity to other forums. 
Another delegation  informed that it did not endorse the proposed approach as far as it focused on 
curbing production and trade rather than on trade facilitation for reverse supply chains. Several 
delegatio ns stressed the need for capacity building and technology transfer, while another delegation 
touted the importance of natural fibres as alternatives to single -use plastics.  
1.6.  At the November meeting, Fiji briefed delegations  on the side event held during WTO Trade 
and Environment Week ma rking the first meeting of the Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and 
Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade. Building on previous informal discussions among 
 
7 WTO document WT/CTE/W/249 . 
8 Co-sponsors are: Australia ; Canada ; Chad; Chile; Costa Rica ; European Union ; the Gambia ; Fiji; 
Iceland ; Japan ; Korea, Republic of ; Liechtenstein ; Maldives ; Mexico ; Moldova , Republic of ; Montenegro ; 
New Zealand ; North Macedonia ; Norway ; Senegal ; Switzerland ; the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu ; and the United Kingdom . WT/CTE/27  
 
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  Members, eight delegation s9 co-sponsored the launch of the open -ended Informal Dialogue which 
sought to support and complement global environmental efforts on the topic. The dialogue would 
provide a dedicated platform where Members would explore – through the exchange of ideas, 
information, and insights – how the WTO could contribute to domestic and global effort s to tackle 
plastics pollution and transition to more circular and sustainable plastics trade. Possible subjects for 
discussion included improving transparency, monitoring  trade trends, promoting best practices, 
strengthening policy coherence, identifying the scope for collective approaches, assessing capacity 
and technical assistance needs, and cooperating with other international processes and efforts. The 
dialogue was op en to all WTO Members and would work closely with other sustainability initiatives 
outside and in the WTO, including the SD and especially the CTE.  China  noted that more delegations 
would soon join the initiative.  
1.7.  A number of  delegations  welcomed  the init iative . Several delegations further noted the 
importance of ensuring complementarity with other national, regional and international efforts on 
the topic, including discussions towards a global agreement on marine litter and microplastics. Some 
delegations  also stressed the value of ensuring complementarity with efforts that would take place 
under the Structured Discussions on Trade and Environmental Sustainability. In the discussion, 
delegations made a number of points, including: the initiative would help  demonstrate the WTO's 
relevance to current challenges of concern for developed and developing countries alike and in 
particular the relevance of the CTE as an  ideal forum to share best practices ; trade could play a 
supportive  role and it would be useful t o examin e the trade dimensions  of plastic pollution and 
identify potential barriers to a more sustainable and circular plastics economy ; efforts to agree on a 
new global agreement on plastics – whose negotiations were expected to be launched in February 
2021 at the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA -5); and it would be useful to have 
discussions to identify the specific role of the WTO , while taking  account of capacity and resource 
constraints, including for SIDS. One  delegation also highlighted the importance of adopting  a trade -
facilitative approach to: ensure resource efficiency, post -consumer material recovery and recycling; 
avoid addressing the issue only through its waste dimension and promoting virgin plastic production; 
and help ensure recyclable commodities stayed in the production stream. Finally, two  delegations 
shared information on their own efforts to address plastic wastes  and enhance c ircularity . 
1.1.3   Circular Economy and Plastics  
1.8.  At the July meeting, the Philippines  commended Members with initiatives to promote 
environmental sustainability at the international or national levels. The Philippines, in collaboration 
with the Canadian governme nt and the private sector, had launched a project known as "Plastic 
Bank". The project aimed to turn plastic waste into currency and reduce plastics in the ocean while 
improving the lives of collector communities . 
1.9.  Ecuador  briefed the Committee on Ecuador 's National Strategy for a Circular Economy . The 
strategy was a key instrument to generate public policies for environmental sustainability.  The 
government had signed the National Alliance for Circular Economy with some 180  companies in 
August 2019. The goal  was to support public and private circular economy initiatives in nine areas:  
(i) the use and industrialization of waste; (ii) eco design ; (iii) cooperation with academ ic institutions ; 
(iv) clean production; (v)  sustainable and resilient infrastructure; (vi)  education; (vii)  sustainable 
business; (viii) progressive replacement of single -use plastic ; and (ix) economic indicators.  
1.10.   Norway  briefed delegations on the latest developments of their  work on trade and circular 
economy  and shared th e position that a new global agreement to combat marine litter should be in 
place by 202 3. A UN Headquarters based group of friends to combat marine plastic pollution  had 
been launched together with 30 other countries . Norway also proposed that the work on  circular 
economy and combatting marine pollution could be raised in the WTO, particularly in the CTE.  
1.11.   The United States  reiterate d its view that WTO Members c ould contribute in reducing waste 
through a trade -facilitative approach  and called the attention to its room document10 on trade 
facilitation of reverse supply chains tabled in the previous meeting of the CTE.  
 
9 Co-sponsors are Australia , Barbados , Canada , China , Fiji, Jamaica , Morocco  and Switzerland . The 
communication  on the dialogue can be found in RD/CTE/175.  
10 See document RD/CTE/153.  WT/CTE/27  
 
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  1.12.   Canada  announced that it would host  the next World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) with 
the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra  in September 2021.  Previous Forums had explored the topic of 
trade and circular economy with active participation from WTO experts. At the WCEF 2021, the aim 
was to continue this dialogue, including by drawing on WTO discussions.  
1.13.   Costa Rica  noted that the growing interest of WTO  Members to discuss these topics in recent 
meetings was encouraging and stressed that trade and sustainability should be one of the top 
priorities of WTO reform discussions. Switzerland  noted that the WTO could support the circular 
economy by enhancing tra nsparenc y and lowering barriers for green goods and services . The 
European Union  noted it was open to continue discussion on the topic of circular economy during 
the next WTO Environmental Week which would be organized back -to-back with the fall meeting of 
the CTE  in November 2020.  
1.14.   At the request of the delegations of Fiji and China , the United Nations Conference on Trade 
and Development (UNCTAD)  presented  a paper on "Trade in Plastics, Sustainability and 
Development" .11 Several delegations welcom ed the report and o ne delegation agreed  that the WTO 
could serve as a key platform  for dialogue on plastic pollution and the promoti on of  greener and 
sustainable environment . Another delegation shared  the view that the statistics and data contained 
in UNCT AD's document should be disaggregated and the promotion and usage of plastic substitutes 
should be carefully analysed. One delegation  highlighted the need for additional information in some 
areas of the report and expressed its interest in providing substa ntive comments on it. UNCTAD  
confirmed that comments could be provided  and welcomed further  engagement to make the report 
more accurate and balanced.  
1.15.   At the November meeting, the United Kingdom  reported on its side event " Global Plastic Action 
Partnership (GPAP) – Lessons Learned ", held in collaboration with the Global Plastic Action 
Partnership, a multi -stakeholder platform within the World Economic Forum during WTO Trade and 
Environment Week. The event highlighted the role of private -public partnerships in driving positive 
outcomes on plastic waste and discussed areas where greater cooperation and coordination among 
governments, business and civil society was needed to eliminate plastic pollution and ach ieve the 
transition to a global circular economy for plastics, including the need to enhance the transparency 
and traceability of the plastics value chain.  The United  Kingdom also used the occasion of the side 
event to announce its support for a global agr eement on plastic pollution.  Several delegations shared 
their own national, bilateral and international plastics and circular economies plans and policies. One 
delegation stressed the need to avoid fragmented policies and for efforts to complement each oth er 
and not duplicate work . The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
briefed delegations on their policies on circular economy for plastic resources, including the Resource 
Recycling and Reuse Plan launched in 2018 which had four p illars: Green Design; Reduction at 
Source; Enhanced Recycling; and Circular Regeneration.  
1.16.   Chile briefed delegations on its own work on circular economy, including the results of a citizen 
survey on th e topic which illustrated some challenges in moving towa rds more circularity such as 
the low propensity of citizens to pay higher prices for circular consumer goods.  
1.17.   The United Nations Environment Programme  (UNEP ) briefed delegations on its recent report 
titled "Sustainable Trade in Resources: Trade, Global Mat erial Flows and Circularity ." The report 
looked at the growing impact of trade on resource use and how coherent policies could ensure trade 
contributed to resource efficiency and circularity. The United Nations Economic Commission for 
Europe  (UNECE ) also b riefed delegations on its work on circular economy, in particular programmes 
on norms, standards and tools to advance circularity. Among these, their work on enhancing 
traceability for sustainable value chains in the garment and footwear industry , standard s for 
transboundary movement of waste and a new tool to avoid food waste were highlighted. Some 
delegations stated their appreciation of the work done by the institutions. One delegation further 
stressed the importance of interagency cooperation.  One deleg ation noted that the Structured 
Discussions on Trade and Environmental Sustainability  could serve as an appropriate forum for a 
dialogue on how trade could contribute to more circular economies. The World Customs Organization  
(WCO) also briefed delegations  on its work on circular economy and reverse chain logistics. This 
include d looking at identification issues  (e.g. of end-of-life products and legal waste and scrap 
commodit ies) and how the regulatory , facilitation and compliance frameworks need ed to adapt.   
 
11 See document JOB/TE/63 . WT/CTE/27  
 
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  1.1.4   Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reform  (FFSR)  
1.18.   At the July and November  meetings, New Zealand , on behalf of the signatories of the 
Statement on F FSR, presented on recent developments on FFSR. New Zealand recalled the 11th 
WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11) statement on FFSR and its signatories' position that the WTO 
was the forum uniquely positioned to address the issue. Prior to the COVID -19 outbreak, the 
signatories had been actively engaging with  WTO Members to renew the MC11 statement for delivery 
at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12). Due to the challenges of COVID -19, outreach had 
been paused and would be reactivated in the fall, as part of a green COVID -19 recovery. At the 
November mee ting, New Zealand briefed delegations on its side  event organized during Trade and 
Environment Week and noted that the unprecedented stimulus packages launched for the recovery 
from the COVID -19 pandemic, combined with low global oil prices, offered a wind ow of opportunity 
for reform and to help build public confidence in the WTO's ability to deliver on its core objective of 
sustainable development. Signatories would continue to actively engage with WTO  Members in 
regard to a new Ministerial Statement on FF SR for MC12 focusing as a key next step on sharing 
information and experiences at the WTO, in order to develop a supportive international setting for 
addressing these subsidies and to assist domestic reform. In both meetings, several delegations 
acknowledg ed the importance of FFSR and recognized the role of the WTO  to assess the trade effects 
of fossil fuel subsidies. Some other delegations restated their objections to discussing FFSR in the 
CTE, noting that the issue of FFSR was dealt with in other forums such as the G20.  
1.1.5   Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS)  
1.19.   At the July and November meetings, New Zealand,  speaking on behalf of participants in the 
ACCTS , briefed delegates on the ACCTS initiative launched in September 2019 together w ith Costa 
Rica, Fiji, Norway and Iceland . Since January 2020, Switzerland had formally joined the initiative . 
The Agreement would include measures in areas such as the removal of tariffs on environmental 
goods and the establishment of new and binding commi tments for environmental services; the 
establishment of discip lines to eliminate harmful fossil fuel subsidies; and the development of 
guidelines to inform the development and implementation of voluntary eco -labelling programmes 
and mechanisms. At the November meeting, New Zealand noted that, with the COVID -19 response 
actions having potentially wide -reaching trade and climate implications, the ACCTS initiative 
remained as pertinent as ever.  After a brief pause due to COVID -19, a third round of negotiations  
was in progress through virtual meetings. New Zealand and co -participants remained committed to 
keeping the CTE informed of progress and were willing to engage further with interested Members.  
1.20.   At the July meeting, Switzerland  announced that it had formal ly joined the initiative since 
January  2020.  
1.1.6   Trade Aspects of the European Green Deal   
1.21.   At the November meeting, the European Union  briefed delegations on the trade aspects of 
the European Green Deal whose political underpinning was for Europe to become the first climate 
neutral continent. The European "Climate Law" would enshrine the objective of climate neutrality by 
2050, aiming to  increase the EU 's climate target for 2030 to at least a 50% (and towards a 55%)  
reduction in emissions. To achieve this, the European Union would revise relevant legislative 
measures and adopt a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) for selected secto rs to avoid 
carbon leakage . The mechanism would be WTO -compatible and adopted through a fully transparent 
process. The European Union was engaging with trading partners at the bilateral and multilateral 
levels and it planned to host a CBAM conference in April 2021. The European Union referred to the 
ambition on  fossil fuel subsidies, as well as to its Farm to Fork strategy and its Biodiversity Strategy 
2030. Delegations were further br iefed on other trade -related elements of the European Green Deal , 
includi ng: the promotion of sustainability in material and product use through its Circular Economy 
Action Plan and Industrial Strategy; further legislation on batteries; reduction of non -GHG emissions 
through the Zero Pollution Action Plan; the initiative on Che micals for Sustainability; and the revision 
of state aid guidelines on climate, energy, environment and non -financial reporting .  
1.22.   Several delegations recognized the importance of the objectives pursued by the EU Green 
Deal. The following points were made d uring the discussion: some of the measures (including on 
deforestation) could create costs for the smallest producers, excluding them from international 
markets in favour of bigger producers ; the importance of respecting the principle of common but WT/CTE/27  
 
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  differe ntiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR -RC) under the Paris Agreement on 
Climate Change was highlighted; the Paris Agreement was based on nationally determined 
contributions whose level of ambition could not be imposed on other countries ; the importance of 
respecting trade obligations, including under preferential trade agreements, and avoid discriminatory 
and unnecessary barriers was noted. A few delegations expressed that some proposed EU measures 
could be incompatible with WTO rules , while one delegation was concerned about how the carbon 
content of imports would be determined. Finally, several delegations noted some of the topics had 
also been raised in other WTO Committees, while one delegation added it disagreed with discussing 
the subject in the CTE.   
1.1.7   Sustainable Paper Production and Agricultural Practices  
1.23.   At the November meeting, Sri Lanka  briefed delegations on sustainable paper production 
practices in the country. It showcased the work of Ecomaximus, a company that used elephant w aste 
as an input to sustainably and ethically produced paper. The final products – mainly stationary gift 
items such as notebooks, paper holders, greeting cards and calendars – were exported to several 
countries. The company had faced some trade restrictio ns, such as ensuring its products would not 
be blocked at the border due to restrictions on elephants and parts under the Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). One delegation noted 
how exchanging of best p ractices on sustainable trade such as these enriched the work of the CTE . 
1.24.   Paraguay  briefed delegations on sustainable mechanized production systems, presenting a 
number of efforts adopted by the agriculture sector in the country – mostly small -holders – to 
address the three dimensions of sustainability: social, environmental and economic. The practice of 
"direct cultivation" gradually adopted since the 1990s had led to an increase of over 100% in output 
without expanding the agricultural frontier , with 40% of Paraguay's territory still composed of wild 
forests. Direct cultivation was based on the principle of crop rotation using green fertilizers. It also 
contributed to limiting erosion by optimizing the use of water resources and limiting water pollution. 
Paraguay added that the system had led to a shift in the carbon balance of their agricultural 
production, from producing to capturing carbon. Paraguay hoped the presentation could help move 
discussions forward in the CTE on how trade could contribute to sus tainability.  
1.25.   Colombia  briefed delegations on the integrated management of Colombian sustainable coffee 
growing . It showcased efforts by Colombian coffee growers – mostly small -holders – to ensure 
sustainable production and quality recognition. Forest cover  conservation, water efficiency, fair and 
safe labour conditions, long -term soil preservation and protection of biodiversity were considered 
important components to ensure the productivity and adaptability of the coffee sector to climate 
variations.  
1.1.8   Costa  Rica' s Portrayal of Sustainable Economic Recovery Post COVID -19 
1.26.   At the November meeting, Costa Rica  briefed delegations on the side event "Sustainable 
Living and International Trade: Achieving mutual supportiveness – Costa Rica 's portrayal of 
sustainable economic recovery post COVID -19", held during WTO Trade and Environment Week. The 
event demonstrated  how Costa Rica had adopted an economic development model based on 
sustainability principles and the integration into the international economy, which had helped the 
country pursue sustainable development and would support its recovery from the effects of the 
COVID -19 pandemic. One delegation noted that the experiences showcased in the event 
demonstrated that trade offered important opportunities for sustainable businesses. Barbados  also 
briefed delegations on the side  event co -organized with Germany on "Th e Future of Trade and 
Environment: Interactions with Geneva's youth", during which students from the Geneva area 
presented their views and ideas on how trade could contribute to a more sustainable future. They 
also heard from Geneva -based ambassadors on tr ade and environment issues and from a young 
Australian entrepreneur working on sourcing sustainably and ethically grown coffee.  WT/CTE/27  
 
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  2  OTHER ITEMS ON THE CTE'S WORK PROGRAMME (ITEMS 1, 2, 3(A), 4, 5, 7, 9, AND  10)12 
2.1  Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) an d WTO (Item 1 of the CTE Work 
Programme)  
"The relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and trade 
measures for environmental purposes, including those pursuant to multilateral 
environmental agreements."  
2.1.1   United Nations Framework  Convention on Climate Change – 26th Conference of the 
Parties (CoP 26)  
2.1.  At the July and November meetings, t he United Kingdom  briefed delegations  on the planning 
for the next UN climate conference  (COP 26) , which w ould now take place between 1 and 12 
November  2021 in Glasgow.  The United Kingdom underscored the need for action in the wake of 
COVID -19 through multilateral institutions  – including the WTO  – to support a clean, inclusive and 
resilient recovery built on the principles of the Paris Agreement  and the SDGs . At the November 
meeting, the United Kingdom highlighted several trade -related initiatives it was spearheading and 
noted it was committed to put ting climate and environmental issues front and centre in the 
multilateral trade agenda, not only in the CTE but also at the upcoming MC12 . Several delegations 
supported the United Kingdom 's efforts to achieve an ambitious outcome at C OP26.  
2.2.  At the November meeting, Switzerland  informed it would commit to net zero emissions by 2050 
and noted it s bilate ral agreement with Peru, and another one with Ghana , regarding the exchange 
of emissions reductions was about to be finalized . Canada  shared information on the WTO Trade and 
Environment Week side event they co-organized with France and the International Ch amber of 
Commerce on "E-commerce and Climate Change in the COVID -19 Era: A game changer for the green 
economic recovery?” and noted it hoped to organize similar events on the nexus between trade and 
climate change in the future. Barbados  also briefed deleg ations on the key takeaways from their 
own side event on "Climate Change, Natural Disasters and Recovery Efforts: Tapping into trade 
facilitation as an effective response tool" , co-organized with the Commonwealth Secretariat and the 
University of the West Indies . 
2.3.  At the November meeting, the European Union  announced it was considering launching a trade 
and climate initiative containing various building blocks in support of climate action, including 
transparency.  At the November meeting, one delegation further noted the importance of respecting 
the principle s of CBDR -RC, mutual supportiveness and special and differentiated treatment . At the 
July and November meetings, some delegations stated that climate change issues were discussed 
under the Paris Agreement and could not be discussed under any forum other th an the United 
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  
2.1.2   MEAs Dealing with Chemicals and Waste  
2.4.  At the July meeting, t he Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions  (UNEP ) provided 
the latest developments on the implementation of the new  amendments adopted in 2019 introducing 
a host of plastic wastes under the regulatory framework of the Basel Convention.  Once the 
amendments enter into force in 2021, some plastic wastes covered by the Convention would  require 
prior informed consent to be exported.  
2.5.  The European Union  noted it was completing legislative changes to implement the new rules  
and announced  it would go further than the Convention by banning the export of plastic wastes 
subject to the regime of the Basel Convention, which were diff icult to recycle or hazardous.  One 
delegation  said that the international chemicals and waste regime had to be further developed , the 
ongoing synergy process among the BRS Conventions needed to be further enhanced and deepened, 
and the international govern ance structure for the post -2020 period prepared and adopted . 
 
12 See Annex 1, the original CTE work programme w hich includes these items.  WT/CTE/27  
 
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  2.1.3   The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)  
2.6.  At the November  meeting, the Convention on Biological Diversity  (CBD) presented their  
relevant work in preparation for the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP 15) to the 
CBD. CoP  15, which had been postponed due to COVID -19 and was now scheduled for 17 -30 May 
2021, was expected to adopt the biodiversity framework for the per iod 2021 -2030 and provide 
guidance on the efforts necessary to revert unprecedent biodiversity loss. Several trade relevant 
points in the draft framework were highlighted. Some delegations noted the importance of CoP 15 
and protecting biodiversity, includi ng in light of the COVID -19 pandemic. One delegation noted the 
trade elements in its own biodiversity plans and that it would fully implement and enforce biodiversity 
in all its trade agreements.  One delegation, as the host country of CoP 15, updated deleg ations with 
the latest preparatory work for the Conference, and encouraged all Members and stakeholders to 
engage in the Sharm El -Sheikh to Kunming Agenda for Nature and People, and to make concrete 
and determinable commitments and contributions to biodive rsity conservation.  
2.2  Transparency of Environment -Related Trade Measures (Item 4 of the CTE Work 
Programme)  
"The provisions of the multilateral trading system with respect to the transparency of trade 
measures used for environmental purposes and environmenta l measures and requirements 
which have significant trade effects."  
2.2.1   WTO Environmental Database  
2.7.  At the November meeting, the WTO Secretariat  informed delegates that the Environmental 
Database (EDB) had been updated to include data on Trade Policy Reviews con ducted in 2019 and 
provided a n overview of the new data. One delegation said that the Secretariat should continue work 
on the EDB and proposed to explore synergies with another database. Another delegation suggested 
that environment -related issues could be  treated in a dedicated section in Trade Policy Reviews . 
2.3  Services and the Environment (Item 9 of the CTE Work Programme)  
2.8.  At the November meeting, Canada  provided an update on recent discussions on environmental 
services at the informal Council for Trade in Services in Special Session (CTS -SS) focusing on certain 
additional services in different sectors like engineering, architecture, tourism, technolog y and  
textile s.13 Four aspects had been highlighted: importance of the trade and environment nexus;  how 
to reduce regulatory measures in Mode 4; addressing the many questions raised during the following 
meeting to be held in December 2020; and the need for technical capacity training for developing 
and least developed countries . One delegation  encourage d active participation by other delegations 
and noted environmental services could support post COVID -19 recovery. Another delegation agreed 
with the value of information sharing but considered discussions on the topic should remain at the 
Council for Trad e in Services . 
3  OTHER BUSINESS  
3.1  The Russian Federation's National Project on Ecology  
3.1.  At the July meeting, the Russian Federation  briefed delegations on the Russian Federation's 
National Project "Ecology". The project had five main elements: waste management,  water, air, 
biodiversity and technologies.  
3.2  Webinar on World Environment Day 2020  
3.2.  At the  July meeting, Barbados  briefed delegations on the webinar held on 4 June 2020 on the 
occasion of World Environment Day 2020 titled "Sustainable trade after COVID -19: C an we do 
better?" The webinar highlighted the role that WTO and trade could play in steering global recovery 
towards a sustainable course in the wake of the COVID -19 crisis. One delegation strongly supported 
 
13 See document JOB/SERV/299.  WT/CTE/27  
 
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  enhanced cooperation between the WTO and UNEP, r ecalling the joint high -level event organized in 
2018.  
3.3  WTO -UNEP High -Level Event on Environment and Trade for a Sustainable and 
Inclusive Recovery from COVID -19 
3.3.  At the  November  meeting, the WTO S ecretariat , on behalf of the WTO Secretariat and UNEP , 
briefed delegations on the WTO -UNEP High -Level event on "Environment and trade for a sustainable 
and inclusive recovery from COVID -19." The event brought together two ministers and leading 
representatives from c ivil society and the private sector, alongside the Deputy Director -General of 
the WTO and the Executive Director of UNEP. At the event, panelists called for trade policies to play 
a bigger role in a whole -of-society approach needed to tackle environmental challenges and build 
back better from the COVID -19 crisis .  
3.4  Briefing by Observ er Organizations  
3.4.  At the July meeting, the Convention on  International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora  (CITES ) briefed delegations on  the linkages between zoonotic diseases and CITES, 
and the role CITES could play in addressing the risks of zoonotic spill over.  The Secretariat also 
highlighted its ongoing collaboration with relevant Parties and partners , such as the World 
Organization for Animal Heal th (OIE) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , to 
reflect upon ways whereby CITES might  contribute to mitigate any zoonotic disease risks at various 
points of intervention from source, through transport and transit countries to destinatio n. 
3.5.  At the July and November meetings, the Organisation for Economic Co -operation and 
Development  (OECD ) updated the Committee on its recent work on trade and environment, including 
on: greening regional trade agreements (RTAs); trade and circular economy; clean technology 
diffusion and environmental goods; government support for fossil fuels; and digital technologies, 
trade and the environment.  
3.6.  At the November  meeting, the International Trade Centre  (ITC) briefed the Committee on its 
Good Trade Summit which  had showcased best practices and solutions to increase the positive and 
inclusive economic, environmental and social impacts from trade. The event had also provided a 
networking platform for more than 1,200 micro, small and medium -sized enterprises. ITC a nnounced 
that it would be soon be providing details on its new "green to compete" strategy.  
3.7.  At the July meeting, due to technical difficulties, the representatives of the United Nations 
Environment Programme  (UNEP ) and the World Customs Organization  (WCO) could not deliver their 
statements orally during the meeting. Their written statements were added in WT/CTE/M/69 in 
Annexes 1 and 2.  
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 WT/CTE/27  
 
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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 signific ant 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 provisi ons 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 trading system with respe ct 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 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 removin g 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 Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights.  
Item 9:  The work programme envisaged in the Deci sion 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/27  
 
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  ANNEX 2: PARTS OF THE DOHA MINISTERIAL DECLARATION THAT RELATE 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 
recommendations, where appropriate, with respect to future action, in cluding 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 o r 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 nee ds 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, in particular the least  developed among them. We also 
encourage th at 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 reflecte d. 
 
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