WTO members gathered on February 26 to discuss the connection between trade and the environment. Their focus was on climate-related trade measures and how to share information better.
Ambassador Erwin Bollinger from Switzerland led the meeting. He shared a summary of the Committee on Trade and Environment’s activities over the past two years. These included discussions on sustainable agriculture, environmental technology, energy transitions, and trade measures linked to climate actions. Members appreciated these sessions for promoting open conversations and learning from each other, particularly about the transparency of climate measures.
Some members suggested diving deeper into ongoing topics, while others wanted to address new environmental challenges. They all agreed to keep these discussions going in 2026.
One major outcome was the decision to start a voluntary information-sharing pilot on trade and climate measures. This will begin at the next meeting in June. Japan introduced a template to help structure these voluntary disclosures, emphasizing it wouldn’t change existing WTO rights or obligations but would enhance them.
The members also highlighted the need to consider how climate-related measures can affect developing countries. They stressed that technology transfer and support for the least-developed nations are crucial.
China raised concerns about the increasing number of carbon standards worldwide, warning that this could lead to fragmentation and higher compliance costs. They proposed gathering information about existing standards and having dedicated sessions to discuss these issues further. Other members echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of international standards.
Updates were shared from the UN’s COP30, which took place in November 2025. Brazil and Australia presented new initiatives aimed at combining climate change efforts with trade practices. The WTO also reported on various environmental measures related to waste and recycling, and their upcoming technical assistance efforts for 2025.
Members were also briefed on initiatives leading up to the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), including discussions on plastic pollution and fossil fuel subsidy reforms.
The February meeting shows a growing acknowledgment of the need to connect trade policies with climate action. While currently voluntary, this effort signifies an understanding that climate-related trade measures are becoming more common. A structured dialogue is essential to balance environmental goals with development needs and the principles of open trade.
This movement reflects a broader trend recognized by experts, like environmental economists, who argue that integrating sustainability into trade policies is critical for future economic growth. In fact, recent studies suggest that 79% of global consumers are more likely to buy from brands committed to sustainable practices. As trade and environmental policies evolve, this alignment may become even more crucial.
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WTO, Trade and environment, Climate measures, Carbon standards, Transparency, COP30, Sustainable trade, Trade policy
