Environmental Goods Negotiations

The document examines the ongoing WTO negotiations on environmental goods, noting that current proposed lists of goods for liberalization primarily benefit developed countries, who account for 79 per cent of exports. To create a more balanced outcome, the author suggests expanding the definition of environmental goods to include environmentally preferable products (EPPs) of export interest to developing countries—specifically non-timber forest products and natural fibre products—and implementing Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) provisions such as delayed compliance and less-than-full reciprocity.

• Current proposals for the identification of environmental goods are dominated by developed countries, who make up 79 per cent of exports for goods on the APEC list, while developing countries account for about 20 per cent and least developed countries less than one per cent.
• To balance trade gains, the author proposes including environmentally preferable products (EPPs) in the negotiations. These are products that cause significantly less environmental harm than alternatives from a life-cycle perspective and are often used for commercial or household purposes rather than specifically for pollution control.
• Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and products made with natural fibres are identified as key EPPs for developing countries. Examples include bamboo and rattan, which serve as wood substitutes, and jute and coir, which are biodegradable alternatives to plastic.
• Biofuels, specifically ethanol and biodiesel, represent a significant export opportunity for developing countries to meet climate targets in OECD countries, though ethanol's status as an agricultural product may place it outside the mandate of the Negotiation Group on Market Access (NGMA).
• The author suggests that Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) for developing and least-developed countries should be implemented through delayed compliance periods for tariff cuts and the principle of less-than-full reciprocity.
• China's proposal to create a 'Common List' and a 'Developmental List' to protect infant industries is viewed as potentially impractical because the diverse development levels and priorities of WTO members could lead to most items appearing on both lists.

APA

Singh, S. (2005). Environmental Goods Negotiations. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_environmental_goods.pdf

Chicago

Singh, Sandeep. Environmental Goods Negotiations. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2005. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_environmental_goods.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Singh |first1=Sandeep |title=Environmental Goods Negotiations |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=June 2005 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_environmental_goods.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{singh2005environmental, author = {Singh, Sandeep}, title = {{Environmental Goods Negotiations}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2005}, month = jun, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_environmental_goods.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }