header tree
subtitle

logo


Introduction

Coverage of the CTE's Mandate

Trade Measures Pursuant to MEAS

Eco-Labelling

Market Access

Other Technical Issues

Relations With IGOs & NGOs

Overall Conclusions


        


Market Access

While the section on linkages between market access and the environment is short, there is evidence that the WTOs analysis of these linkages has progressed. In particular there is now the recognition (in paragraph 197) that trade liberalization will yield developmental and environmental benefits, but only if appropriate national environmental policies are in place. The CTE notes that increased market access for developing countries is in turn necessary to generate the resources that underpin "adequate" developmental and environmental policies.

This leaves national governments, and the WTO, with something of a chicken and egg problem: sustainable development will only be generated if you have, on the one hand, increased market access, and on the other appropriate development and environment policies. Market access and the appropriate policies rely on each other for their existence. This begs the question of how this is all going to be achieved simultaneously, particularly in the case of those countries with the least financial, technical and policy-making resources.

If WTO Members are serious about following through on this analysis, the first step should be to initiate an assessment of the environment and development effects of the implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreement. The objective in doing this is to simultaneously identify what the agreement could do to support sustainable development, and what additional policies are needed to make it do that. This is not a task for the WTO alone, but one primarily for the relevant ministries in national governments and those intergovernmental organizations with environment and development mandates. That assessment would then be the foundation for each WTO Member to begin integration of their trade, environment and development policies.

Under market access, the CTE also discussed how and whether the removal of trade restrictions and distortions, such as tariff escalation and subsidies, could benefit the environment. While more analysis is required, there does seem to be considerable potential here to combine trade liberalization with environmental gains, for example, in the context of reducing agricultural subsidies. However, to act on such issues the CTE will have to work with other parts of the WTO, such as the Committee on Agriculture, and other intergovernmental organizations, such as FAO and UNEP. National level coordination between the relevant ministries will also be a prerequisite for effective action. Even the more straightforward goal of increasing markets for developing countries will require the engagement of other WTO committees.

Recommendations

  • The market access and environment issue should be addressed in other WTO committees post-Singapore, both to analyse the linkages, and to increase the likelihood that any recommendations drawn up will be acted upon. The Committees on Market Access, Agriculture, Textiles, and Subsidies and Countervailing Duties should prioritize discussion of this issue. The WTO should solicit input to these committees from the intergovernmental bodies, government ministries and non-state actors with relevant mandates or expertise.

  • An assessment of the effects of trade liberalization consequent upon the Uruguay Round Agreements should be initiated by governments and the relevant intergovernmental bodies. The objective in undertaking this is to ensure that the appropriate environment and development policies are in place, so as to direct trade liberalization to support sustainable development.



toolbar