CTE negotiators discuss way forward on identifying environmental goods

02 Mar '06

5 min read

Issue of multiple use of products remains divisive

At the meeting, divisions again emerged between proponents of the so-called "list approach" to liberalising trade in environmental goods and those sceptical of the approach.

The latter are mainly developing countries. India, which prefers a method that would temporarily liberalise market access for certain goods and services used in approved 'environmental projects' (see BRIDGES Trade Biores, 13 July 2005, http://www.ictsd.org/weekly/05-07-13/story5.htm), contends that the environmental character of some of the lists that countries have put forward is called into question by the fact that they include many products with multiple uses.

According to one developing country delegate, industrialised countries that have already put forward lists have simply adopted those put together either by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) or the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) -- organisations that many developing countries are not members of -- without having made an effort to filter the products contained therein on the basis of environmental merit.

The subsequent technical meetings ought to remedy this situation, India felt.

After consulting with several Members on the second day of negotiations, Ali proposed discussing the merits of some proposed products in four categories -- renewable energy, air pollution control, wastewater treatment and soil remediation -- in a technical meeting during the next CTE-SS.

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