Publications

Fifth (Glasgow) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of UNCTAD and the IRSG on Rubber and the Environment (Adobe pdf 1,230 KB)

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 (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

Economic Aspects of Development of Agricultural Alternatives to Tobacco Production and Export Marketing in Malawi (Adobe pdf 1,109 KB) UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/7

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 (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

Greening Trade in Viet Nam (Adobe pdf 705 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/8

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. (Contact: Veena Jha)

Achieving Objectives of Multilateral Environmental Agreements: a Package of Trade Measures and Positive Measures (Adobe pdf 702 KB) UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/6

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. (Contact: Veena Jha & Ulrich Hoffmann)

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 (Adobe pdf 827 KB)

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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

The Use of Trade Measures for Environmental Purposes - Globally and in the EU Context

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 (Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev)

Greenhouse Gas Market Perspectives (Adobe pdf 709 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/Misc.9

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. (Contact: Lucas Assunção)

Profiting fron Green Consumerism in Germany (Adobe pdf 340 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/3

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”. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

Trade, Sustainable Development and Gender in the Forestry Sector (Adobe pdf 57 KB)

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. (Contact: Sophia Twarog)

Second (Bali) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of UNCTAD and the IRSG on Rubber and the Environment (Adobe pdf 342 KB) UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/5

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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

Madagascar UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/4

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 (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

Breaking the Deadlock: a Positive Agenda on Trade, Environment and Development? (Adobe pdf 119 KB)

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"). (Contact: Veena Jha and René Vossenaar)

The Case of Used Lead-acid Batteries in the Philippines (Adobe pdf 473 KB)

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 (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

Restructuring the Secondary Lead Acid Battery Industry (Adobe pdf 135 KB)

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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

Report of the Expert Meeting on Strengthening Capacities in Developing Countries to Develop Their Environmental Services Sector (Adobe pdf 44 KB) TD/B/COM.1/18

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.

First (Manchester) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of UNCTAD and the IRSG on Rubber and the Environment (Adobe pdf 200 KB)

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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

Environmentally Preferable Products (EPPs) as a Trade Opportunity for Developing Countries (Adobe pdf 2,620 KB) UNCTAD/COM/70

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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

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Mar 2006		Trade and Environment Review 2006 UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/12 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). (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
Feb 2006		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 UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/18 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. (Contact: Sophia Twarog)
Jan 2006		Analysis of Options for Implementing Disclosure of Origin Requirements in Intellectual Property Applications UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/14 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. (Contact: Sophia Twarog)
Jan 2006		Science on the tap, not on the top 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. (Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev)
Feb 2005		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. UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/2 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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
Jan 2005		Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture, Vol. 1 UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2005/4 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. (Contact: Sophia Twarog)
Nov 2004		Protecting and Promoting Traditional Knowledge: Systems, National Experiences and International Dimensions UNCTAD/DITC/TED/10 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? (Contact: Sophia Twarog)
May 2004		Trade and Environment Review 2003 (Adobe pdf 705 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2003/4 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. (Contact: René Vossenaar)
Jan 2004		Trading Opportunities for Organic Food Products from Developing Countries (Adobe pdf 800 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/11 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. (Contact: René Vossenaar)
Sept 2003		UNCTAD's Technical Cooperation/Capacity Building Programme on Trade, Environment and Development (TED). Note by the UNCTAD secretariat. (Adobe pdf 138 KB) TD/B/WP(XLI)/CRP.1 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. (Contact: René Vossenaar)
Sept 2003		News, Special Issue. UNCTAD’s Technical Cooperation (TC) and Capacity Building (CB) Programme on Trade, Environment and Development (TED) (Adobe pdf 605 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/Misc/2003/4 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. (Contact: René Vossenaar)
July 2003		Environmental Goods: Trade Statistics of Developing Countries (Adobe pdf 605 KB) UNCTAD/TD/B/COM1/EM.21/CRP.1 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 (Contact: René Vossenaar)
June 2003		Newsletter, Junio 2003. (Adobe pdf 967 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/Misc/2003/4 Trabajo de UNCTAD sobre. Comercio, Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo. Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Newsletter, Junio 2003. (Contact: Eugenia Nunez)
March 2003		Science and Technology Diplomacy (Adobe pdf 256 KB) UNCTAD/ITE/TEB/Misc.5 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. (Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev)
Feb 2003		The Organic Guarantee System . The need and strategy for harmonisation and equivalence (Adobe pdf 792 KB) ISBN 3-934-055-23-0 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. (Contact: Sophia Twarog)
July 2002		The New Bioeconomy. Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology in Developing Countries (Adobe pdf 83 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/12 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. (Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev)
Aug 2002		(WSSD brochure) Promoting Trade for Sustainable Development. UNCTAD's contribution to the WSSD (Word 99 KB) UNCTAD/EDM/MISC.216 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 (Contact: René Vossenaar)
Feb 2002		Fifth (Glasgow) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of UNCTAD and the IRSG on Rubber and the Environment (Adobe pdf 1,230 KB) 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 (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
Jan 2001		Economic Aspects of Development of Agricultural Alternatives to Tobacco Production and Export Marketing in Malawi (Adobe pdf 1,109 KB) UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/7 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 (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
2001		Greening Trade in Viet Nam (Adobe pdf 705 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/8 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. (Contact: Veena Jha)
2001		Achieving Objectives of Multilateral Environmental Agreements: a Package of Trade Measures and Positive Measures (Adobe pdf 702 KB) UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/6 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. (Contact: Veena Jha & Ulrich Hoffmann)
2001		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 (Adobe pdf 827 KB) 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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
2001		The Use of Trade Measures for Environmental Purposes - Globally and in the EU Context 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 (Contact: Alexey Vikhlyaev)
June 2001		Greenhouse Gas Market Perspectives (Adobe pdf 709 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/Misc.9 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. (Contact: Lucas Assunção)
2000		Profiting fron Green Consumerism in Germany (Adobe pdf 340 KB) UNCTAD/DITC/TED/3 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”. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
2000		Trade, Sustainable Development and Gender in the Forestry Sector (Adobe pdf 57 KB) 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. (Contact: Sophia Twarog)
May 2000		Second (Bali) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of UNCTAD and the IRSG on Rubber and the Environment (Adobe pdf 342 KB) UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/5 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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
1999		Madagascar UNCTAD/ITCD/TED/4 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 (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
1999		Breaking the Deadlock: a Positive Agenda on Trade, Environment and Development? (Adobe pdf 119 KB) 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"). (Contact: Veena Jha and René Vossenaar)
1999		The Case of Used Lead-acid Batteries in the Philippines (Adobe pdf 473 KB) 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 (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
1999		Restructuring the Secondary Lead Acid Battery Industry (Adobe pdf 135 KB) 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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
1998		Report of the Expert Meeting on Strengthening Capacities in Developing Countries to Develop Their Environmental Services Sector (Adobe pdf 44 KB) TD/B/COM.1/18 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.
1997		First (Manchester) Joint Workshop of the Secretariat of UNCTAD and the IRSG on Rubber and the Environment (Adobe pdf 200 KB) 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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)
1995		Environmentally Preferable Products (EPPs) as a Trade Opportunity for Developing Countries (Adobe pdf 2,620 KB) UNCTAD/COM/70 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. (Contact: Ulrich Hoffmann)

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