Trade in Environmentally Sound Technologies: Implications for Developing Countries

Trade in Environmentally Sound Technologies: Implications for Developing Countries

Date: 29 August 2019

The 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement provide impetus for development, innovation and trade of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs), which can serve to address pollution and climate change while creating new economic opportunities, jobs and social benefits.

ESTs, such as renewable energy, waste and water management technologies, can play an important role in supporting climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience building, as well as in facilitating the transition towards more circular and greener economies. This was highlighted at the UN High-level Political Forum and the fourth United Nations Environment Assembly earlier this year.

International trade is a critical enabler for the dissemination of ESTs and opens new opportunities for countries worldwide.  A recent study by the Environment and Trade Hub of UN Environment highlights the triple-win opportunities from enhanced trade, development and deployment of ESTs. As part of a joint project, the study aims to enhance understanding of the implications, capacity needs and enabling conditions for trade liberalization of ESTs, with focus on developing countries.

During the webinar the speakers talked about:

• Highlight key findings from the Trade in ESTs study
• Discuss opportunities and challenges for developing countries to harness trade in ESTs
• Zoom in on key issues relevant to trade in ESTs including data gaps, trade and investment agreements, and trade in services.
• Explore actions needed to fully unlock the potential of EST trade in developing countries

Presenters:

• Aik Hoe Lim – a Director of the Trade and Environment Division at the World Trade Organization (WHO).
• Xiaolan Fu – a Professor of Technology and International Development at the University of Oxford.
• Mahesh Sugathan – an economist and trade-policy expert based in Geneva, Switzerland and Principal Consultant at “Mahesh Sugathan and Associates Consulting”.
• Mahesh Sugathan – an economist and trade-policy expert based in Geneva, Switzerland and Principal Consultant at “Mahesh Sugathan and Associates Consulting”.

For more information and download available documents, click here.