EnvironmentalGoodsandServices-WorldTrade.pptVIP

Environmental Goods and Services negotiations:Challenges and opportunitiesWTO Workshop on Environmental Goods:Para 31 (iii) of the DDAGeneva 11 October 2004 -Mahesh Sugathan, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) Introduction Environmental goods and services (EGS) always on ‘trade-liberalisation’ agenda but specifically singled out in Doha Ministerial declaration Para 31(iii) calls for “ the reduction or as appropriate elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to environmental goods and services.” What does this mean in actual negotiating terms- a mandate for accelerated liberalisation? Not clear. No deadlines set and no multilaterally accepted consensus on what constitutes ‘environmental goods’. Diffusion of Para 31 (iii) Mandate Negotiations on environmental goods as mandated by Para 31 (iii) has been assigned to the negotiating group on Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA) Negotiations on environmental services are under the auspices of the Special Sessions of the Council for Trade in Services (CTS) The special sessions of the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) has been given a monitoring role over progress and is to contribute by examining the definitional aspects and scope of Environmental goods and services Overview of Environmental goods negotiations: definition vs lists On Environmental goods, no clear agreement among WTO Members on definitions and coverage of such goods despite reference to definition of environment industry by the OECD as “activities which produce goods and services to measure, prevent, limit, or minimise or correct environmental damage to water, air and soil, as well as problems related to waste, noise and ecosystems.” Modalities for environmental goods negotiations OECD and APEC lists used as starting point for discussions on Environmental goods in the WTO. APEC list based on goods proposed by Member countries-heavily focussed on end-of pipe pollution treatment and monitoring equipme