Environment related trade barriers and the WTO

Environment related trade barriers and the WTO

Published Jan 2009

Author

F. Khatun

Publisher

Focus themes

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Less developed countries interests in trade and environment: how their concerns can be protected?

There is a growing concern that environmental issues may create both direct and indirect opportunities to introduce new barriers to trade. In fact, it is apprehended by DCs and LDCs that environmental measures may have adverse effect on their trade as they are not always able to meet up the requirements of the developed countries. This paper looks at some of the environment related trade measures, which may appear to be trade barriers at times in the context of the WTO. The paper also articulates the interests of LDCs in the area of trade and environment and how their concerns can be protected.

The paper deems that the issue of environmental measures has not been resolved since the Doha Declaration. However, since the mandate of the WTO is to liberalise trade, the paper thinks that the WTO can contribute towards trade and environmental improvements by identifying and removing those barriers. Furthermore, the paper indicates that for trade and environmental policies to complement each other, appropriate environmental policies need to be out in place.

Regarding LDCs, the paper figures that:

  • in order to deal with environmental requirements, LDCs need to establish a clearer guidance for the development of environmental requirements
  • delivery of effective technical assistance is a prerequisite for LDCs compliance to various requirements by developed countries
  • it is also important for LDCs to have access to information timely on the proposed and existing requirements and schemes
  • participation of LDCs in the international standards setting bodies will also help to overcome environment related trade obstacles in many ways



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