CTE negotiators discuss way forward on identifying environmental goods

02 Mar '06

5 min read

This would not preclude the future consideration of goods not included in the compilation.

Countries are considering two sets of 'indicative parameters' for evaluating some of these products. The first set, which was proposed by Chair Ambassador Toufiq Ali (Bangladesh) a week before the meeting, asks whether the product has a clear and direct environmental end use; what environmental products, categories of products or projects are of particular interest to developing country Members; and what other considerations may be taken into account when determining whether a product constitutes an environmental good.

The second, more product-specific, set was tabled by the US on the day of the meeting (TN/TE/W/64). It asks whether the product had a clear and direct environmental benefit; if any potential dual or multiple uses could be addressed by using a narrower product description at the national level; whether the product is "so central to the delivery of key environmental and developmental benefits... that its exclusion from liberalisation would reduce the intended environmental benefits" of the initiative; and if the product is sensitive or raised other concerns for delegations.

The US proposal, furthermore, urged Members not to continue "the same kind of unstructured debate" as last year.

Delegates decided to start by looking at products with a single environmental end-use, and might subsequently broaden the scope of the discussions to dual and multiple uses. As a start, they will apply these parameters to products in two categories, namely 'renewable energy' and 'air pollution control.'

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