About

Fostering inclusive international cooperation on trade and trade policies to enable a circular economy that serves sustainable development priorities and environmental goals.

Publication - Policy Brief

Trade and Environment at the World Trade Organization: State of Play and Entry Points

On where the trade, environment, and sustainable development interface can be addressed and discussed at the WTO.

TESS 05 April 2024
Expert View

Sustainability at the WTO After MC13: Forging a Proactive Response

The vast majority of WTO members are ready to engage and build cooperation on sustainability and trade at the WTO.

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck & Christophe Bellmann 14 March 2024
Expert View

Greening Supply Chains: Sleepwalking Into a New Era of Trade Policy?

Trade negotiators are advised to become acquainted with the dynamics of the environmental and financial communities.

Marion Jansen 07 March 2024
Expert View

The Governance of Trade as if a Healthy Planet Really Mattered

For the redesign of a trade regime placed at the service of a healthy, balanced, and equitable planetary community.

Mark Halle 29 February 2024
Expert View

Strong Ministerial Engagement is Needed to Strengthen International Cooperation on Sustainability and Trade

There are priority areas for action to consolidate the progress made and provide political impetus for further work.

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck & Christophe Bellmann 24 February 2024
News - News

TESS at MC13

Join as at the Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference and explore our activities and publications.

23 February 2024
Expert View

The WTO on Sustainable Trade: Far From Perfect, by No Means the Enemy of the Good

There are many practical steps to collaborate through the WTO to make trade for the green economy easier.

Kimberley Botwright 22 February 2024
News - News

TESS Issues Statement at WTO Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions Plenary Meeting

The co-sponsors of the TESSD initiative continue work, with governments gearing up for the 13th Ministerial Conference.

08 February 2024
Expert View

Achieving an Inclusive Circular Economy: The Role of the Harmonized System of Codes

On facilitating the transition to a circular economy that supports sustainable development.

Jack Barrie & Gael Grooby 19 December 2023
News - News

Launch of Expert Group on Trade, Circular Economy, and Sustainable Development

TESS has mobilized leading international experts from the trade, environment, and sustainable development communities.

06 November 2023
Expert View

Recent Innovations in Trade and Sustainability Cooperation

An overview of new trends in relation to policy action and cooperation on trade and sustainability.

Joost Pauwelyn 26 September 2023
Expert View

The Case for a Global Triangle Forum at the WTO

On a Global Triangle Forum to foster dialogue and cooperation on trade, environment, and development at the WTO.

Pascal Lamy, Geneviève Pons, Colette van der Ven, & Claudia Azevedo 12 September 2023
Dialogue

Roundtable on Trade, the Circular Economy, and Sustainable Development in the Textiles and Clothing Sector

TESS & UNEP co-hosted a roundtable on trade and the circular economy in the textiles and clothing sector.

24 March 2023
Publication - Policy Paper

Promoting and Facilitating Trade in Environmental Goods and Services: Lessons From Regional Trade Agreements

A review of approaches in regional trade agreements to promote and facilitate trade in environmental goods and services.

Christophe Bellmann & Mahesh Sugathan 20 June 2022
Publication - Policy Brief

Plastic Pollution and Trade Across the Life Cycle of Plastics: Options for Amending the Harmonized System to Improve Transparency

Options to improve the classification, monitoring, and reporting of trade flows across the life cycle of plastics.

Carla Vaca Eyzaguirre & Carolyn Deere Birkbeck 19 May 2022
Dialogue

Informal Exchange on Circular Economy, Trade, and Sustainable Development at the WTO

TESS co-hosted an informal exchange on work related to the circular economy, trade, and sustainable development.

10 May 2022
Publication - Policy Brief

Trade and Environment at the World Trade Organization: State of Play and Entry Points

Update on the trade and environment interface from a WTO governance perspective.

Christophe Bellmann, Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Marianne Kettunen, & Mahesh Sugathan 11 April 2022
Publication - Briefing Note

Securing a Just and Inclusive Global Green Economy Through Trade Policy

On how to secure a just and inclusive global green economy through trade policy.

Nicolas Lockhart, Dominic Coppens, Katherine Connolly, & Stella Perantakou 29 March 2022
Dialogue

Informal Meeting of Developing Countries on Trade, Environment, and Sustainable Development

TESS hosts a series of informal discussions among delegates on trade, environment, and sustainable development.

22 March 2022