About

Fostering inclusive international cooperation on nature-positive trade and trade policies relevant to biodiversity and sustainability in agriculture, food systems, and use of natural resources.

Dialogue

Brainstorming Roundtable on Nature-Positive Trade Rules for Sustainable Development

Participants discussed the role of trade in supporting a global bioeconomy that serves sustainable development.

18 April 2024
Expert View

Reshaping WTO Subsidy Rules for a Sustainable Future

A fundamental regearing of World Trade Organization subsidy rules offers the potential for transformative change.

Daniel C. Esty & Elena Cima 08 April 2024
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

Critical Minerals Initiatives for Green Supply Chains: How Multilateralism Can Help

Addressing the global issue of critical minerals supply chains properly requires multilateral action.

Henry Gao, Weihuan Zhou, & Victor Crochet 15 March 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

Trade Can Support the Achievement of a Nature-Positive Global Goal to Reverse Biodiversity Loss

The WTO has immense potential to strengthen inclusive policies for the advancement of nature-positive trade.

Marco Lambertini 06 March 2024
Expert View

Protecting Forests Through Sustainable Supply Chains: A Future Role for the WTO?

For an informal dialogue on trade and environmentally sustainable forests and agricultural commodities at the WTO.

Brendan Vickers 05 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

WTO Reform: A Catalyst for Transformative Change in the Caribbean Community

Caribbean Community countries can shape a trade policy framework that is equitable, sustainable, and inclusive.

Jan Yves Remy 22 February 2024
Expert View

Why Delivering a Fisheries Subsidies Agreement Matters for Small Islands

At MC13, governments will seek to reach consensus on a transformational agreement on fisheries subsidies.

Matthew Wilson 14 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
News - News

Launch of International Expert Group on Environmentally Harmful Agricultural Subsidies

TESS has mobilized leading international experts on agriculture and sustainability for this expert group.

08 February 2024
Expert View

Naïve but Necessary? Cooperation on Critical Mineral Supplies

On the need for cooperative frameworks and alliances and supply chain partnerships.

Bernice Lee 05 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
Publication - Policy Paper

Sustainability Standards and Requirements for Agriculture: International Trade Considerations

On the evolving landscape of sustainability requirements for agriculture and related international trade considerations

UNEP & ITC 13 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 and Sustainability Requirements and Standards in Agriculture: Options for Enhanced International Cooperation

UNEP, ITC, & TESS convened an informal roundtable on trade & sustainability requirements & standards in agriculture

23 May 2023
Dialogue

Roundtable on Trade and Deforestation: Options for Enhanced and Inclusive International Cooperation

UNEP & TESS convened this informal roundtable as part of our sustainable agriculture and trade roundtable series.

28 April 2023
Expert View

Fostering Cooperation on Sustainable Agriculture and Trade at the World Trade Organization

Strategies for the WTO to increase cooperation on sustainable agriculture and trade.

Christophe Bellmann 17 April 2023
Dialogue

Nature-Positive Trade for Sustainable Development

Informal dialogue on how trade policies can support implementation of the global biodiversity framework.

14 March 2023
Publication - Policy Brief

Nature-Positive Trade for Sustainable Development

A mutually supportive vision for biodiversity, sustainable trade, and sustainable development.

Marianne Kettunen 10 March 2023
Publication - Presentation

Sustainable Supply Chains and Deforestation: The Landscape of Trade Policy Initiatives and Emerging Issues

Summary of the trade related aspects linked to sustainable supply chains and deforestation.

Marianne Kettunen 11 January 2023
Dialogue

Nature-Positive Trade for Sustainable Development: How Can Trade-Related Policies and Measures Support the Delivery of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework?

Side event at the 15th Conference of Parties for pathways to support the Global Biodiversity Framework targets.

16 December 2022
Dialogue

Sustainable Agriculture and Trade

A deep dive roundtable on key aspects of the sustainable agriculture and trade interface.

14 December 2022
Publication - Policy Brief

Trade and Sustainability in the Agricultural Sector: Options for Multilateral Trade Cooperation

Analysis of the complex relationship between trade and sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Christophe Bellmann 13 December 2022
Dialogue

Championing Smallholders for Trade Equity and Sustainability

A workshop during the WTO Public Forum 2022 under the theme "delivering a trade agenda for sustainable future."

28 September 2022
Dialogue

Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Subsidies

Roundtable discussion on environmental impacts of production and trade-distorting agriculture support.

27 September 2022
Dialogue

State of Play and Next Steps on Environment at the WTO: Opening Plenary of Geneva Trade Week 2022

Briefing on the state of play and next steps on environment at the World Trade Organization.

26 September 2022
Dialogue

Nature-Positive Trade for Sustainable Development 2030

Updates on the discussions on trade, biodiversity, and sustainable development in the context of the GBF.

13 July 2022
Dialogue

Promoting and Facilitating Trade in Environmental Goods and Services

A two-day deep dive expert workshop on possible approaches.

23 June 2022
Dialogue

Informal Discussion on Deforestation Free Products

TESS hosted an informal dialogue on the EU deforestation free products initiative and its implications.

19 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
Dialogue

WTO Initiatives on Environment and Sustainable Development: Windows of Opportunity for Biodiversity

Webinar providing an update on the state of play on environment-related discussions at the WTO.

17 March 2022
Dialogue

Aid for Trade, Environment, and Sustainable Development

TESS hosted Geneva-based experts to discuss aid for trade, environment, and sustainable development.

03 February 2022
Dialogue

Addressing Knowledge Gaps on Trade in Environmental Goods and Services

Expert round table to identify knowledge gaps relevant to discussions on EGS planned under the TESSD & IDP processes.

26 January 2022
Dialogue

Launch of Three Ministerial Statements on Trade, Environment, and Sustainable Development at the WTO

Joint launch event of three ministerial statements - TESSD, IDP, and FFSR.

15 December 2021
Dialogue

Environment Initiatives at the WTO: Regional Views on Ways Forward

Offers developing countries' perspectives on environmental initiatives and developments at the WTO.

01 December 2021
Publication - Policy Brief

Biodiversity and International Trade Policy Primer: How Does Nature Fit in the Sustainable Trade Agenda?

Exploration of the intersections of trade and trade policy and biodiversity goals.

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Elena Antoni, Marianne Kettunen, & Jamie Wang 09 November 2021
Dialogue

What's Happening on the Environment at the WTO? Recent Developments and WTO Member Initiatives in the Lead Up to MC12

High-level briefing providing updates on environment at the WTO.

27 September 2021