Nature-positive trade for sustainable development: How can trade-related policies and measures support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework?

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted at the 15th Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022 includes four goals and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030. Trade-related policy action and cooperation will be essential to achieve most of these targets including those related to wildlife trade; invasive alien species; the reduction of subsidies harmful to biodiversity; conservation and management of the world’s lands and waters; reduction of waste generation and the negative impact of pollution; sustainable agriculture and fisheries; the Nagoya and Cartagena Protocols; participation of business and stakeholders, and policy integration. The GBF provides a fresh opportunity for reexamining how international cooperation on trade and trade policies could support the global biodiversity agenda. In view of the scale and complexity of the sustainability challenges, global action would equip regulators and stakeholders with the necessary tools to effectively address them.

Meanwhile relevant discussions on the trade and biodiversity interface are taking place across a number of committees in the World Trade Organization (WTO), such as the Committees on Trade and Environment, on Technical Barriers to Trade and on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. There are also opportunities to consider the intersection of trade, biodiversity and sustainable development in the context of discussions underway as part of Member-led initiatives such as the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD), the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution (DPP) and the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR).

For further information, please visit the WTO website here.