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| UNCTAD/ TED Palais des Nations, CH - 1211 Genève 10, Suisse trade.environment@unctad.org tél +41 (0)22 917 1330 Terms & conditions Privacy |
Material
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Trade & Environment Review 2009/2010: Promoting poles of clean growth to foster the transitionto a more sustainable economy
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2009/2 Date: Jan 2010 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann UNCTAD´s Trade and Environment Review 2009/2010 focuses on promoting poles of clean growth to foster the transition to a more sustainable economy in developing countries that enhance resilience to the inter-related economic, food and climate crises.
While several rapidly industrializing developing countries have not seen a major slump in their growth by the recent economic and financial crises, TER 09/10 focuses on the 140 plus low-income and least developed countries, which have not caused the economic, financial, climate and food crises, but have to bear the full brunt of these crises. How can they effectively mitigate these inter-related crises while transiting to a qualitatively and structurally different growth and development model? The TER 09/10 singles out three areas of sustainable, "green" growth that are of particular and strategic importance for the low-income and least developed countries: - Enhancing energy efficiency, often implemented in combination with material and resource efficiency. - Mainstreaming sustainable agriculture, including organic agriculture. - Harnessing the use of off-grid renewable energy technologies for sustainable rural development. The TER 09/10 contains some 20 essays from a wide range of experts on these subjects, including two forewords from the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs of South Africa and the Minister of Trade and Associate Minister for Climate Change Issues of New Zealand. |
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World Trade Law and Renewable Energy: The Case of Non-Tariff Barriers
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2008/5 Date: May 2009 Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev |
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WTO Negotiations on Environmental Goods and Services: A Potential Contribution to the Millennium Development Goals
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2008/4 Date: May 2009 Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev |
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Les meilleures pratiques en matière de politiques sur l’agriculture biologique: ce que peuvent faire les gouvernements des pays en développement pour promouvoir le secteur de l’agriculture biologique
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/3 Date: May 2009 Contact: Sophia Twarog Organic agriculture is a promising trade and sustainable development opportunity for developing countries. This paper identifies best practices and lessons learnt in countries around the world, regarding effective and efficient government policies and actions to promote production and export of organic agriculture products. It highlights 35 recommendations in the areas of general policy, standards and regulations, markets, production, training, education and research. It is based on seven national case studies included as annexes. It also includes an annex on options for organic market regulations. |
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Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/15 Date: Sept 2008 Contact: Sophia Twarog Food security is an issue of great concern in many countries, particularly in Africa. The evidence presented in this study supports the argument that organic agriculture can be good for food security in Africa — equal or better than most conventional systems and more likely to be sustainable in the longer-term. The 15 case studies examined in-depth have shown increases in per hectare productivity for food crops, increased farmer incomes, environmental benefits, strengthened communities and enhanced human capital. |
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Elements of an International Regime for the Recognition of National Regulations on Access to Genetic Resources
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/9 Date: July 2008 Contact: Sophia Twarog This paper aims to assist the international community in its efforts to curb the misappropriation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge through IPRs. It outlines how an international legal regime may assist the enforcement of decisions made under national access and benefit-sharing regulations by providing for the recognition of such decisions in foreign jurisdictions.
In addition to offering some useful background on the complex legal issues involved, the paper outlines some of the elements that could constitute such a legal regime, and examines the different options for implementing it at the international level. It provides a useful complement to research previously commissioned by UNCTAD on “disclosure of origin” in patent applications. |
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Private-Sector Standards and National Schemes for Good Agricultural Practices: Implications for Exports of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables from sub-Saharan Africa. Experiences of Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/13 Date: April 2008 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann |
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Challenges and Opportunities Arising from Private Standards on Food Safety and Environment for Exporters of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in Asia: Experiences of Malaysia, Thailand and Viet Nam
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/6 Date: Feb 2008 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann |
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Certified Organic Export Production: Implications for Economic Welfare and Gender Equity among Smallholder Farmers in Tropical Africa
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/7 Date: Feb 2008 Contact: Sophia Twarog The production of fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) for domestic and international markets provides a
living to a large proportion of rural households in South-East Asia, and a basis for export diversification
and agro-industrial development. Governments and the private sector in countries of this region have
been working to promote the use of good agricultural practices (GAP) in the production of FFV.
The wider use of GAP has helped to increase efficiency in FFV production, offer safer and healthier
produce to domestic consumers and improve the safety and quality of exported FFV. Most countries
have adopted gradual approaches to GAP development and implementation, with an initial focus on
(consumer and worker’s) safety followed by the gradual incorporation of additional requirements. |
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Best Practices for Organic Policy. What developing country Governments can do to promote the organic agriculture sector
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/3 Date: Feb 2008 Contact: Sophia Twarog Organic agriculture is a promising trade and sustainable development opportunity for developing countries. This paper identifies best practices and lessons learnt in countries around the world, regarding effective and efficient government policies and actions to promote production and export of organic agriculture products. It highlights 35 recommendations in the areas of general policy, standards and regulations, markets, production, training, education and research. It is based on seven national case studies included as annexes. It also includes an annex on options for organic market regulations. |
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Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture. Volume 4, Background papers of the International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/14 Date: Feb 2008 Contact: Sophia Twarog This publication presents papers of the sixth meeting of the ITF, held in Stockholm, Sweden
in October 2006. Also included here is the first draft of the International Requirements for
Organic Certification Bodies (IROCB), which is a tool for equivalence of organic conformity
assessment systems. In addition, the volume contains an ITF Communiqué. |
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The Implications of Private-Sector Standards for Good Agricultural Practices Exploring Options to Facilitate Market Access for Developing-country Exporters of Fruit and Vegetables: Experiences of Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/2 Date: Nov 2007 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann This publication analyses the developmental and market access impact of new, ever more stringent and complex private standards on food safety, health and environmental requirements (mostly set by large and globally acting supermarkets) on fresh fruit and vegetable exports from Central and South American countries. These private standards, although voluntary in legal nature, are often de facto mandatory for producers and exporters through the buying power of those setting and applying them. The wider use of these standards can help to increase efficiency of fruit and vegetable production, offer safer and healthier produce for consumers, improve occupational safety of producers, and facilitate access to lucrative export and domestic markets. At the same time, these standards, unless pro-actively managed, can lead to marginalization of small producers and the emergence of one-sided dependencies. Based on country-case studies for Argentina, Brazil and Costa Rica, the publication synthesizes key lessons for shaping pro-active national adjustment strategies to private standards such as GlobalGAP through national programmes on good agricultural practices. |
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Food Safety and Environmental Requirements in Export Markets - Friend or Foe for Producers of Fruit and Vegetables in Asian Developing Countries?
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2006/8 Date: Aug 2007 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann |
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Requisitos Ambientales, Competitividad Internacional y Acceso a Mercados en América Central, Cuba y la República Dominicana Contexto internacional y experiencias nacionales, con referencia especial a los productos agrícolas
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2006/1 Date: May 2007 Contact: Nuria Castells |
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Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture. Volume 3, Background papers of the International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/1 Date: Mar 2007 Contact: Sophia Twarog This is the third volume of background papers of the International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture (ITF). Organized by FAO, IFOAM and UNCTAD, the ITF is seeking solutions to international trade challenges that have arisen as a result of the numerous public and private standards and regulations for organic products that now prevail worldwide.
This volume presents the four discussion papers and the Report of the Fifth ITF meeting, including experiences and situations in organic regulation, common regulatory objectives, requirements for certification bodies and cooperation between conformity assessment bodies. |
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Overview of the Current State of Organic Agriculture in Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania and the Opportunities for Regional Harmonization
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/16 Date: Feb 2007 Contact: Sophia Twarog Organic agriculture is a promising trade and sustainable development opportunity for East African farmers. This study provides an overview of the current state of organic agriculture in Kenya, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. For each country, information is provided on the organic sector stakeholders, production, domestic markets, exports, standards, certification and policies. It also highlights the potential benefits of increased regional cooperation in this area, including harmonization of organic standards. Finally, the study makes a number of recommendations to promote the further development of this vibrant sector |
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Bienes y Servicios Ambientales en América Central, Cuba y la República Dominicana. Contexto internacional y experiencias nacionales
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/13 Date: Feb 2007 Contact: Nuria Castells This publication focuses on environmental goods and services (EGS) from the trade community perspective. EGS became part of the negotiating agenda at the WTO as mandated by the Doha Ministerial Declaration, par. 31 iii.
EGS can be instrumental in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The market potential for both goods and services is significantly growing in the developing world, whereas it has reached a certain maturity in developed countries. Multilateral trade negotiations seek to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers, whilst promoting sustainable development, and taking into account special and differential treatment as embedded in the overarching premise of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA).
The UNCTAD secretariat implemented the project Building Capacity for Improved Policy Making and Negotiation on Key Trade and Environment Issues sponsored by the government of United Kingdom in a number of Central American and Caribbean countries. Regional and national activities concerning EGS confirmed its relevance for the region, and attempted to evaluate ex ante the implications of scenarios and modalities being discussed at the WTO. The parallel process of DR-CAFTA negotiations, in which most of the beneficiary countries were involved, raised some synergies between RTAs and MTS negotiations.
This monograph addresses key elements that were analyzed in the country-case studies, such as: risks and advantages of different trade liberalization scenarios; the relationship between regional trade agreements and multilateral trade agreements in the area of EGS; trade, environment, and development implications of trade liberalization of EGS; analysis of the Members' lists (tariffs and trade flows in the region) submitted to the WTO; non-tariff barriers; the potential for including environmentally preferable products (EPP) in the negotiations; and identifying priorities in relevant capacity-building activities. Publication only available in Spanish |
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Strategy on Solutions for Harmonizing International Regulation of Organic Agriculture. Volume 2, Background papers of the International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/15 Date: Sept 2006 Contact: Sophia Twarog This volume represents a further step in the development of proposals on harmonization of the regulation of production and trade in products from organic agriculture. It was commissioned by the International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture (ITF), which was established by IFOAM, FAO and UNCTAD in February 2003. The main paper in this volume aims to summarise: - the current situation - the problems experienced, and - the harmonization tools available and then - establish criteria for assessing potential harmonizing models - perform an initial analysis of likely models - recommend best options where possible - develop an initial work programme to lead towards a final workable harmonized model The volume also contains the reports of the third and fourth meetings of the ITF in November 2004 and February 2005, respectively. |
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Trade and Environment Review 2006
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/12 Date: Mar 2006 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann The TER 2006 focuses on environmental and related health requirements and their impact on developing countries' market access. It examines both the opportunities and challenges presented by these requirements, which are increasingly stringent, complex and multi-dimensional. The Review includes both general and sectoral analyses of the issue, and looks at two sectors where environmental requirements are critical to market access: electrical and electronic equipment and organic agricultural products. The evidence presented in the Review supports recommendations for developing countries to adopt a more strategic and proactive approach to coping with environmental and related health requirements in export markets. This requires being involved from the initial stages of standards-setting, both in the context of government regulations and the increasing number of private-sector standards that apply across supply chains. A proactive approach is also needed in order to take full advantage of the trade and development opportunities generated by increased environmental and health concerns, such as expanding markets for organic products. The Review also provides an overview of recent UNCTAD technical cooperation and capacity building activities in the area of trade and environment, including: the Consultative Task Force on Environmental Requirements and Market Access for Developing Countries (CTF); the UNCTAD-FAO-IFOAM International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture (ITF); the BioTrade Initiative; and the UNEP-UNCTAD Capacity-building Task Force on Trade, Environment and Development (CBTF). |
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Report of the UNCTAD-Commonwealth Secretariat Workshop on Elements of National Sui Generis Systems for the Preservation, Protection and Promotion of Traditional Knowledge, Innovations and Practices and Options for an International Framework, Geneva, 4-6 February 2004
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/18 Date: Feb 2006 Contact: Sophia Twarog Some 90 participants with a range of perspectives and expertise (trade, environment, intellectual property, indigenous issues, enterprise development, etc.) participated in the workshop in their personal capacities as experts. They brainstormed on actions that could be taken at the national and regional levels to preserve, protect and promote for development traditional knowledge, innovations and practices (TK) as well as international dimensions. This report reflects the diversity of views and ideas expressed during this meeting. |
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Science on the tap, not on the top
Symbol: Date: Jan 2006 Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev Science plays an increasingly important role in trade policy and negotiations. A large number of trade agreements rely on scientific expertise for their work. Science is negotiated in setting environmental and health standards: trade disputes had highlighted the role of science as the legal test in the WTO. Historically, it was the negotiations on agriculture that triggered interest in science as an alternative approach to regulating trade, with food safety emerging as a major concern. The recent extension of the phytosanitary domain to include biosafety represents the biggest challenge to the trade policy – a challenge of taking the WTO into the area of adjudicating on the appropriateness of domestic regulations. Forming and managing the scientific consensus underlying trade-related rule- making, standard-setting and regulatory activities at the national, regional and international levels present formidable challenges. The notion of science diplomacy refers to activities of international cooperation and compromise on issues with a heavy scientific input. These activities and resulting networks offer excellent opportunities to share resources and hedge against diplomatic failures through exchanging experiences, opening countries up to better funding opportunities from international sources and sharing organisational capacity and expertise. Int. J. Technology and Globalisation, Vol. X, No. X, 2005. |
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Analysis of Options for Implementing Disclosure of Origin Requirements in Intellectual Property Applications
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/14 Date: Jan 2006 Contact: Sophia Twarog This paper examines the issue of disclosure of the country of origin of genetic resources and of associated traditional knowledge in applications for intellectual property. It was commissioned by the UNCTAD secretariat in response to an invitation from the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity. |
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Report of the First Substantive Meeting of the Consultative Task Force on Environmental Requirements and Market Access for Developing Countries Geneva, 5-6 November 2004.
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/2 Date: Feb 2005 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann This report, which was prepared by the UNCTAD secretariat, summarizes the main recommendations made at the meeting. The list of participants is annexed to the report. |
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Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture, Vol. 1
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/4 Date: Jan 2005 Contact: Sophia Twarog Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture, Vol. 1, presents the first results of the International Task Force (ITF) on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture. Organized by the FAO, IFOAM, and UNCTAD, the ITF is seeking solutions to international trade challenges that have arisen as a result of the numerous public and private standards and regulations for organic products that now prevail worldwide. This volume features four background papers that describe the current situation in organic regulation and trade, and offers some models that could apply to potential solution. A Terms of Reference for the ITF and reports of the first two task force meetings are also included. |
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Protecting and Promoting Traditional Knowledge: Systems, National Experiences and International Dimensions
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/10 Date: Nov 2004 Contact: Sophia Twarog This book, a collection of papers prepared in conjunction with an UNCTAD expert meeting on TK, attempts to advance discussion and understanding of the issues by focusing on three key questions: • What are the importance and scope of TK, particularly in the areas of agriculture and medicine? • How can TK be preserved and protected? • How can this valuable resource be harnessed for development and trade to benefit the TK-holding communities and countries? |
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Promoting Trade for Sustainable Development. Note by the UNCTAD secretariat
Symbol: TD/(XI)/BP/10 Date: May 2004 Contact: Sophia Twarog This note provides background information and analysis for the “Roundtable on
Promoting Trade for Sustainable Development” (São Paulo, 17 June 2004), to be
held as a parallel event at UNCTAD XI. The roundtable will focus on the positive
contribution that trade can make to sustainable development in developing
countries. This paper highlights the following issues: (a) opportunities arising from niche markets for environmentally preferable products (in particular organic agricultural products); (b) environmental goods and services; (c) benefits that can be derived from proactive adjustment policies to external environmental requirements; and (d) options for harnessing traditional knowledge for trade and development. It flags a number of capacity-building responses by UNCTAD and its partners to identified needs in these areas to assist developing countries in enhancing awareness of such opportunities and in effectively integrating these opportunities into their national development strategies. Special attention is given to the UNEP-UNCTAD Capacity Building Task Force (CBTF) on Trade, Environment and Development. |
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Trade and Environment Review 2003
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2003/4 Date: May 2004 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann This first edition of UNCTAD’s newest annual review addresses issues at the interface of trade and environment from a development perspective. The Trade and Environment Review will provide a consolidated basis for discussions on leading trade and environment issues, while giving the debate a constructive and practical spin. This premier edition focuses on two themes that are negotiating subjects in the current Doha round of trade negotiations in the WTO: the relationship between specific trade obligations set out in multilateral environmental agreements and WTO rules; and the reduction, or as appropriate, elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to environmental goods and services. The Review 2003 is divided into three sections: the first comprises three lead articles on these two topics; the second contains commentaries on the lead articles by relevant experts; and the third provides readers with a short overview of recent intergovernmental research and technical assistance and capacity-building activities of the UNCTAD secretariat on trade, environment and development. In conjunction with the Review, readers can post further comments and ask questions about articles, commentaries and information contained in the Review at the on-line “reader’s forum” on this site. |
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Trading Opportunities for Organic Food Products from Developing Countries
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/11 Date: Jan 2004 Contact: Sophia Twarog The project, Strengthening Research and Policy-Making Capacity on Trade and Environment in Developing Countries (INT/98/A61), was implemented between June 1999 and April 2001 by the UNCTAD secretariat in collaboration with the Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD) of the United Kingdom. It was funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID). The following countries participated in this project: Bangladesh, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, India, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda. It brought together trade and environment officials from these countries in an exchange of national experiences and discussions on key issues, aided by background papers prepared by developing country participants, consultants and staff from UNCTAD and FIELD. This report provides a synthesis of the studies and discussions on one of the key themes identified: Promoting Trade in Environmentally Preferable Products (EPPs), in Particular Organic Products. It also contains material prepared by experts from Cuba, Costa Rica, the Philippines, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda as well as from UNCTAD. |
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UNCTAD's Technical Cooperation/Capacity Building Programme on Trade, Environment and Development (TED). Note by the UNCTAD secretariat.
Symbol: TD/B/WP(XLI)/CRP.1 Date: Sept 2003 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann This paper describes recent initiatives and further plans envisaged by the UNCTAD secretariat to enhance the effectiveness of its technical cooperation (TC) and capacity building (CB) on trade, environment and development (TED). It outlines elements of a vision and strategy concerning TED TC/CB, including objectives; characteristics; geographical and substantive focus; the integrated set of activities offered; steps taken to secure sustainability of impacts; communication; cooperation with other providers of TC/CB; and the use of indicators of performance and impact. |
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News, Special Issue. UNCTAD’s Technical Cooperation (TC) and Capacity Building (CB) Programme on Trade, Environment and Development (TED)
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/Misc/2003/4 Date: Sept 2003 Contact: Eugenia Nunez This special issue gives an overview of UNCTAD’s . Please also see document TD/B/WP(XLI)CRP.1 This issue does not cover the BIOTRADE and climate change programmes. |
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Environmental Goods: Trade Statistics of Developing Countries
Symbol: UNCTAD/TD/B/COM1/EM.21/CRP.1 Date: July 2003 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann The present conference room paper supplements the analysis contained in TD/B/COM.1/EM.21 with a statistical overview of trade in selected environmental goods from 1996 through 200 I. Special focus is given to examining the trade patterns of developing countries. |
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Newsletter, Junio 2003.
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/Misc/2003/4 Date: June 2003 Contact: Eugenia Nunez Trabajo de UNCTAD sobre. Comercio, Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo. Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Newsletter, Junio 2003. |
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Science and Technology Diplomacy
Symbol: UNCTAD/ITE/TEB/Misc.5 Date: Mar 2003 Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev This paper elaborates the conceptual basis and elements of a programme of work on science and technology diplomacy for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This programme is being developed in accordance with resolution 2001/31 of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), adopted in July 2001, following recommendations of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) and consultations with the Secretary-General of UNCTAD. This paper has been prepared in consultation and collaboration with Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development and Director of the Science, Technology and Innovation Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. |
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The Organic Guarantee System. The need and strategy for harmonisation and equivalence
Symbol: ISBN 3-934-055-23-0 Date: Feb 2003 Contact: Sophia Twarog This book on international harmonisation and equivalence in organic agriculture, which is but one of the many outcomes from The Conference on International Harmonisation and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture organised in February 2002 by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). This publication includes many contributions from the original Conference Reader (edited by Willie Lockeretz and Gunnar Rundgren) as well as a considerable amount of new material from presentations made at the conference. It shows the wide spectrum of topics involved in the process of harmonising organic guarantee systems as well as different approaches to the subject. The result is a comprehensive publication for all stakeholders in the various fields connected with organic guarantee systems. As most articles are based on the Conference respectively the Conference Reader, it is important to note that they are updated as of February 2002. The information in this book will be drawn upon by the IFOAM/FAO/UNCTAD Task Force on Harmonisation and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture, which commenced work in February 2003. |
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Promoting Trade for Sustainable Development.
Symbol: UNCTAD/EDM/MISC.216 Date: Aug 2002 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann UNCTAD's special role within the United Nations system is to examine trade and environment issues from a development perspective. UNCTAD covers a large number of issues of particular interest to developing countries, ranging from support for their participation in multilateral trade negotiations to commodity diversification, the promotion of trade in environmentally preferable products and harnessing traditional knowledge for development and trade. In carrying out its activities, UNCTAD works closely with a number of international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and civil society.Proceedings of the Fifth Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the International Rubber Study Group on Rubber and the Environment held in conjunction with the 103GM of the International Rubber Study Group, Glasgow, UK, 5th February 2002. |
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The New Bioeconomy. Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology in Developing Countries
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/12 Date: July 2002 Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev The paper suggests that sustaining a new bioeconomy entails the adoption of a global governance regime for biotechnology so as to bring a large number of developing countries into the global trading system. Failure to do so will create a “genetic divide” among countries and is likely to intensify public opposition to biotechnology. Such opposition is likely to be fuelled by presumptions about possible market dislocation and apparent features of technological disparities between nations. The elements of such a governance system include improvements in market access, development of technological capabilities, access to technology, national regulation of biotechnology, and the management of risks and benefits associated with its use. |
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Fifth (Glasgow) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of UNCTAD and the IRSG on Rubber and the Environment
Symbol: Date: Feb 2002 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann Proceedings of the Fifth Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the International Rubber Study Group on Rubber and the Environment held in conjunction with the 103GM of the International Rubber Study Group, Glasgow, UK, 5th February 2002. |
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Achieving Objectives of Multilateral Environmental Agreements: a Package of Trade Measures and Positive Measures
Symbol: UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/6 Date: 2001 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann The relevance of trade and positive\enabling measures in achieving the objectives of selected multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) is reviewed in light of their contribution to strengthening environmental policy, while at the same time minimizing economic distortions. The present collection of case studies reviews these measures as they are applied through the different MEA’s. The case studies refer to two MEAs - the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Analysis is also presented of the Basel Convention on Transborder Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal. |
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Greening Trade in Viet Nam
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/8 Date: 2001 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann This book explores the linkages between the objectives of liberalised international trade or globalisation, protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development. It is an anthology of essays by leading experts, farmers and other practitioners of sustainable development in Viet Nam supported by officials from UNDP, UNCTAD and NGO's such as IUCN. It also outlines the concerns of developing countries such as Viet Nam about the impacts on their trade and development from the environmental policies of the developed countries, as well as outlining policies and practices in Viet Nam such as safe vegetable production, traditional medicine practices, which are all inherently environmentally friendly. |
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Fourth (Antwerp) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the International Rubber Study Group on Rubber and the Environment
Symbol: Date: 2001 Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev This publication contains the proceedings of the fourth joint Workshop of UNCTAD and the International Rubber Study Group on the Internalisation of Environmental Costs and Benefits in Prices of Rubber and Rubber Products, held in Antwerp, Belgium, on 9 November 2000. The proceedings contain presentations and the ensuing panel discussion on two themes: (i) the use of economic instruments and supportive government regulation to encourage environmentally sound and economically viable recycling of scrap tyres; and (ii) recent progress on the operational measures for using carbon offset funding in the context of investment projects in carbon sequestration of rubber plantations within the framework of the Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change. |
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The Use of Trade Measures for Environmental Purposes - Globally and in the EU Context
Symbol: Date: 2001 Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev This paper assesses the scope for and implications of trade measures for environmental purposes in the WTO and the European Union. The assessment is illustrated by a number of cases that have tested the limits of legal provisions in the WTO and EU dealing with issues arising at the intersection of trade liberalization and environmental protection such as the maintenance of domestic health, safety and environmental standards and cross-border activity. The conclusions of the paper point to a trend towards the regionalization of trade and environment rule making and implementation, with the EU moving along its distinctive policy making path, and the GATT/WTO barely moving at all. The paper demonstrates the limitations of judicial and quasi-judicial means of dealing with trade measures for non-trade purposes and argues for approaching the legitimacy of such measures through the lens of process rather than outcome, expanding participation and interest representation in national and international decision- and policy-making |
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Greenhouse Gas Market Perspectives
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/Misc.9 Date: 2001 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann This book explores a set of issues related to the proper functioning of trading in GHG credits and allowances and complements the UNCTAD series on carbon trading. Creating markets for GHG emissions and allowing the trading of emission credits and allowances, taking advantage of differences in the marginal cost of reducing emissions in different countries, are now considered by both Governments and the private sector as enduring principles to address climate change. Issues discussed include: the legal and institutional framework for a plurilateral GHG emissions trading system, study on the size of the carbon market, development of post Kyoto emissions trading schemes in Europe, and voluntary participation by developing countries. |
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Economic Aspects of Development of Agricultural Alternatives to Tobacco Production and Export Marketing in Malawi
Symbol: UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/7 Date: 2001 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann The study assesses a number of potential agricultural alternatives to production and export marketing of tobacco from Malawi. It provides analysis and findings on current profitability of alternatives as well as potentials for employment and export earnings, as compared with tobacco. The social needs of employing a large number of workers currently engaged in tobacco production and the country's need for export earnings are thus taken into account. The study includes recommendations made by an Expert Workshop held in Blantyre, Malawi on 21-22 July 1999 addressed to the private and public sectors. Besides its general importance in the context of commodity diversification, the report has a special relevance for major tobacco-producing developing countries in the light of the currently negotiated WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which aims at setting up comprehensive multi-sectoral national tobacco control strategies and programmes that will drastically reduce global tobacco consumption. |
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Second (Bali) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of UNCTAD and the IRSG on Rubber and the Environment
Symbol: UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/5 Date: May 2000 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann The document contains the proceedings of the annual joint workshop of UNCTAD and the International Rubber Study Group on the opportunities and constraints of internalizing environmental costs and benefits in prices of rubber and rubber products, held in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. The background paper of the meeting and the discussion focus on two clusters: (i) Internalization of scrap tyre management costs; and (ii) Opportunities of carbon offset funding in the context of climate change for enhancing profitability of natural rubber production. On the first cluster, expert papers dwell on the North American and Malaysian experience on the use of economic and supportive regulatory instruments for internalizing costs of sound management of scrap tyres. On the second cluster, expert papers focus on the carbon sequestration potential of rubber trees, reflecting various agronomic and climatic conditions and risks, such as forest fires. |
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Profiting fron Green Consumerism in Germany
Symbol: UNCTAD/DITC/TED/3 Date: 2001 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann Although at a somewhat slower pace in recent years, “green consumerism” has been on the rise in Germany and is increasingly bearing upon markets of key export interest to developing countries. The present report reviews the consequences of this phenomenon in Germany for the export opportunities of developing countries in three sectors: textiles and clothing; leather and footwear; and timber and furniture. It aims at providing information for exporters in developing countries on the main manifestations of “green consumerism”, such as eco-labelling initiatives and environment-related standards and regulations, and suggests market-oriented strategies for suppliers in developing countries which may help them take advantage of “green consumerism”. |
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Trade, Sustainable Development and Gender in the Forestry Sector
Symbol: Date: 2001 Contact: Sophia Twarog In the forestry sector, discussions on trade, environmental and gender aspects tend to be conducted separately from one another. This overview paper attempts to bring these three areas together. Section II outlines the important goods and services derived from forests. Section III examines international trade in forest products, with a focus on recent trends in trade restrictions. Section IV looks at deforestation and possible linkages with trade in forest products. Sections V and VI discuss sustainable forest management and the means of achieving it, including timber certification and community forestry. Section VII looks at women as a main forest-user group in local communities. Section VIII identifies areas for future research. |
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Breaking the Deadlock: a Positive Agenda on Trade, Environment and Development?
Symbol: Date: 1999 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann The "Positive Trade Agenda" is an initiative of UNCTAD secretary general Rubens Ricupero, taken after the first WTO ministerial meeting in 1996 (Singapore). The rationale is that rather than being passive reactors to agendas set by developed countries, developing countries have to set their own agenda to play a more pro-active role in future negotiations. This paper tries to define elements of a "Positive Agenda" on Trade and Environment. This may appear a difficult task, because developing countries have had legitimate apprehensions about engaging in a discussion on Trade and Environment in the first place. While the issue has already been on the multilateral trade agenda for some time, work has so far focused on discussions aimed at clarifying trade and environment issues -a process which is still ongoing-, not on negotiations. However, there is now some pressure to "mainstream" Trade and Environment in several WTO agreements and to include the theme - in one way or another - in a possible new round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations (the "Millennium Round"). |
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The Case of Used Lead-acid Batteries in the Philippines
Symbol: Date: 1999 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann Requirements for environmentally sound and economically viable management of lead as important natural resource and hazardous waste in the wake of trade restrictions on secondary lead by decision III/1 of the Basel Convention: The Case of Used Lead-acid Batteries in the Philippines |
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Restructuring the Secondary Lead Acid Battery Industry
Symbol: Date: 1999 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann A review of the options for restructuring the secondary lead acid battery industry, in particular the smaller battery recyclers and secondary lead smelters and the informal sector, with a view to enhancing their environmental performance and improving health standards. |
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Madagascar
Symbol: UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/4 Date: 1999 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann This publication is a follow-up of a seminar on trade, environment and sustainable development, which took place from 17-19 March 1998. The interface between trade and the environment covers a large number of topics that merit thorough discussion. This publication introduces those themes related to trade and environment that were addressed in the seminar by national and international experts. The study focuses on the implementation of international environmental conventions particularly pertinent to the Malagasy context, such as CITES and the Convention on Biodiversity. The study also looks at Malagasy exports and their relation to the environment. In order to stress the positive aspects of the trade-environment linkages, trading opportunities for environmentally preferable products and, more particularly, organic products are examined. Other issues were equally the subject of this study, such as environmentally sound technology transfer, sustainable tourism, domestically prohibited goods or more generally imports which can have a harmful effect on the Malagasy environment. |
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Report of the Expert Meeting on Strengthening Capacities in Developing Countries to Develop Their Environmental Services Sector
Symbol: TD/B/COM.1/18 Date: 1998 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann In recognition that environmental services can contribute to improving living conditions, especially for the poorest members of the population, experts decided to bring the following conclusions and recommendations to the attention of the Commission on Trade in Goods and Services, and Commodities at its third session. |
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First (Manchester) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of UNCTAD and the IRSG on Rubber and the Environment
Symbol: Date: 1997 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann Joint Workshop of the International Rubber Study Group and the Secretariat of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on opportunities and constraints for the internalization of environmental costs and benefits into the price of rubber. Manchester, UK, 13 June, 1997. |
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Environmentally Preferable Products (EPPs) as a Trade Opportunity for Developing Countries
Symbol: UNCTAD/COM/70 Date: 1995 Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann The 1980s witnessed substantial changes in developed country markets resulting from the rising interest in the environment and environmental attributes of products. It is suggested, in this context, that the so-called greening of markets represents new opportunities for developing countries. This assumption is based on the fact that these countries are important producers of natural-based products which often claim to be inherently more environment-friendly than synthetics. Agricultural production, in particular, in these countries is also less polluting than in the developed world. For these reasons, it is argued that developing countries are well placed to supply natural and environment-friendly products. If they take advantage of "green" market opportunities and capitalize on their natural endowment, they may thereby be able to enhance the attainment of their developmental objectives. |
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