Unlocking the potential of international trade to promote a global secondary market and the transition to a circular economy: what role for the WTO

This report examines the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in facilitating the transition to a global circular economy to address the 'triple planetary crisis'. It analyzes current trade measures, identifies a disproportionate focus on end-of-life waste management over upstream resource reduction, and proposes a framework for regulatory alignment and mutual recognition of circular goods and services to prevent market fragmentation and 'circular resource nationalism'.

• Material resource extraction and processing are primary drivers of the triple planetary crisis, contributing to over 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Biomass use alone is responsible for more than 90% of water stress and biodiversity loss related to land use. Material use has increased more than threefold over the last 50 years and is projected to grow by nearly 60% by 2060, while material productivity has not increased.
• A mapping of 520 circular economy-related measures notified to the WTO between 2009 and 2021 reveals a heavy bias toward downstream activities. Measures targeting end-of-cycle and waste disposal represent 54% of notifications, while upstream measures (raw material extraction and product design/use) account for only 30%. The United States (22%), China (9%), Korea (6%), and the European Union (4%) are the most active notifying members; Uganda is the only developing country in the top 20, with seven measures.
• While WTO notifications are limited, there is significant circular economy momentum in developing economies. A Chatham House and UNIDO mapping identified 75 national strategies, roadmaps, or calls to action globally, including operational strategies in Nigeria, Rwanda, and Ghana, and policies under development in Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Ethiopia. The European Union is particularly active, accounting for 70% of the total roadmaps and strategies in 2024.
• The WTO can mitigate 'circular resource nationalism' and market fragmentation by promoting regulatory alignment and mutual recognition of circular goods and services. Proposed solutions include leveraging the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) for 'trusted trade' in reverse supply chains, utilizing the ISO 59000 series as a benchmark, and developing cross-border Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes that ensure fees follow goods across borders and include upstream design considerations.

APA

Oger, A., & Leturcq, P. (2024). Unlocking the potential of international trade to promote a global secondary market and the transition to a circular economy: what role for the WTO. Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs. https://tessforum.org/latest/unlocking-the-potential-of-international-trade-to-promote-a-global-secondary-market-and-the-transition-to-a-circular-economy-what-role-for-the-wto

Chicago

Oger, Antoine, and Pierre Leturcq. Unlocking the potential of international trade to promote a global secondary market and the transition to a circular economy: what role for the WTO. Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs, 2024. https://tessforum.org/latest/unlocking-the-potential-of-international-trade-to-promote-a-global-secondary-market-and-the-transition-to-a-circular-economy-what-role-for-the-wto.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Oger |first1=Antoine |last2=Leturcq |first2=Pierre |title=Unlocking the potential of international trade to promote a global secondary market and the transition to a circular economy: what role for the WTO |publisher=Forum on Trade, Environment, & the SDGs |date=28 June 2024 |url=https://tessforum.org/latest/unlocking-the-potential-of-international-trade-to-promote-a-global-secondary-market-and-the-transition-to-a-circular-economy-what-role-for-the-wto |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{oger2024unlocking, author = {Oger, Antoine and Leturcq, Pierre}, title = {{Unlocking the potential of international trade to promote a global secondary market and the transition to a circular economy: what role for the WTO}}, institution = {Forum on Trade, Environment, \& the SDGs}, year = {2024}, month = jun, url = {https://tessforum.org/latest/unlocking-the-potential-of-international-trade-to-promote-a-global-secondary-market-and-the-transition-to-a-circular-economy-what-role-for-the-wto}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }