About

Fostering inclusive international cooperation on trade and trade policies to support global efforts to end plastic pollution.

News - News

TESS Issues Statement at WTO Dialogue on Plastic Pollution Meeting

The WTO Dialogue on Plastic Pollution continues work, with governments looking towards concrete and effective outcomes.

18 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

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

There's a Great Future in Plastics – And Other Takeaways From the WTO MC13 Ministerial

Technical work and informed policy dialogue can facilitate the use of the trade system to achieve environmental goals.

Robert Howse 13 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
Dialogue

Fostering Trade-Related Cooperation on Plastic Pollution: The WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution beyond MC13

TESS, IISD, the PEW Charitable Trusts, & UNCTAD invite you to this dialogue in the margins of MC13.

13 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

TESS Issues Statement at WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution Plenary Meeting

The WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution continues work, with governments gearing up for the 13th Ministerial Conference.

01 February 2024
Dialogue

Implementing a Treaty to End Plastic Pollution: A Holistic Approach to Resource Mobilization & Financing for Systems Change & Just Transitions

TESS and the Geneva Environment Network host this webinar on mobilizing resources for an effective plastics treaty.

25 January 2024
News - News

TESS Issues Statement at WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution Meeting

The WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution continues work, with governments gearing up for the 13th Ministerial Conference.

26 November 2023
Dialogue

Meeting of an Expert Group on Trade and Plastic Pollution

TESS hosted this hybrid meeting of experts on trade and plastic pollution in the wake of INC-3.

25 November 2023
Dialogue

COP28: The Climate Impact of Plastic Production - The Road to a Global Plastics Treaty

Side event cosponsored by the Government of Rwanda and the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, with TESS and IEA.

24 November 2023
Publication - Policy Brief

Options for Trade-Related Cooperation on Problematic and Avoidable Plastics: Building on Existing Experiences with Single-Use Plastics

On options for trade-related cooperation and policy action to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics.

Mahesh Sugathan & Carolyn Deere Birkbeck 14 November 2023
Dialogue

INC-3 Side Event - Rethinking the Future of Single-Use Plastics

Executive Director, Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, spoke at this informal pre INC-3 side event.

12 November 2023
Publication - Policy Paper

Standards and Related Initiatives in International Cooperation to End Plastic Pollution: Mapping and State of Play

On the role that international cooperation on standards can play in supporting global efforts to end plastic pollution.

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Mahesh Sugathan, Sophie Boinnard, Valeriia Grekova, & Belinda Cleeland 28 September 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
News - News

TESS Issues Statement at WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution Meeting

The WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution continues work, with governments gearing up for the 13th Ministerial Conference.

25 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
News - News

TESS to Support the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution

TESS to support the work of the co-chairs of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution.

03 July 2023
News - News

TESS Director on Priorities for a Global Plastics Treaty in One Earth Journal's Plastics Crisis Issue

TESS Executive Director contributes to this issue on how to make the plastics treaty address the plastics crisis.

19 June 2023
Dialogue

World Environment Day Celebration | Multilateral Solutions to Beat Plastic Pollution

High-level dialogue on plastic pollution, highlighting the efforts and progress in International Geneva.

05 June 2023
Dialogue

INC-2 Side Event - The Role of Trade Measures in the Future Instrument: Challenges and Opportunities

Executive Director, Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, spoke at this INC-2 side event.

29 May 2023
Publication - Briefing Note

Trends in Trade Flows Across the Life Cycle of Plastics: Preliminary Review

A review of trends in trade flows across the life cycle of plastics.

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Diana Barrowclough, Mahesh Sugathan, Christophe Bellmann, & Leonardo Souzo Campos Rodrigues 25 May 2023
Dialogue

Deep Dive on Trade, Plastics, and Plastic Pollution

TESS hosted an informal brainstorming session to discuss issues of trade policy relevant to ending plastic pollution.

29 March 2023
Dialogue

Informal Roundtable Discussion on the Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

TESS & Minderoo Foundation hosted a roundtable on plastics and human health in context of the global plastics treaty.

24 March 2023
News - News

TESS Contributes to the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution Plenary

The WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution continues work, with governments gearing up for the 13th Ministerial Conference.

14 March 2023
News - News

TESS Contributes to the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution Pre-Plenary

The WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution continues work in 2023, assembling a diverse group of delegations & stakeholders.

16 February 2023
Publication - Policy Brief

The WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution: Overview and State of Play

A review of the evolution and work of the WTO Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and options for trade-related cooperation.

Carolyn Deere Birkbeck, Mahesh Sugathan, & Simon Ardila Eraso 13 December 2022
Dialogue

International Trade Cooperation to Address Plastic Pollution: Options and Pathways to Enhance Environmental Outcomes

A working session during the WTO Public Forum 2022 on "international trade cooperation to address plastic pollution."

29 September 2022
Expert View

Plastic Pollution: Can Aid for Trade Help Least Developed Countries Tackle This Crisis?

How aid for trade can support least developed country efforts to tackle the plastic pollution crisis.

Mahesh Sugathan 07 June 2022
News - News

TESS Contributes to Preparations for Negotiations on a New International Treaty on Plastic Pollution

TESS contributed to a multi-stakeholder dialogue to prepare for negotiations on a new int. treaty on plastics pollution.

01 June 2022
News - Newsletter

Update on Plastic Pollution and Trade: New Publications and Recent Events

The latest TESS newsletter on plastic pollution is available.

27 May 2022
Publication - Policy Brief

Aid for Trade Priorities on Plastic Pollution

A discussion of how aid for trade can help address the plastic pollution crisis.

Mahesh Sugathan 24 May 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
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
Dialogue

Next Steps for the Plastic Pollution Treaty: Vision and Priorities for Commitments and Action

Hybrid roundtable providing key updates, challenges, and opportunities for the UN plastics treaty.

07 April 2022
Dialogue

Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade

TESS hosted the co-coordinators of the Informal Dialogue on Plastics Pollution for an informal meeting w/ stakeholders.

11 March 2022
Expert View

A New International Treaty to End Plastic Pollution: From Ambition to Concrete Commitments, Meaningful Action, and Effective Governance

Key priorities for the negotiations on an international treaty to end plastic pollution.

Fredric Bauer & Carolyn Deere Birkbeck 04 March 2022
Dialogue

Material Substitutes to Single-Use Plastics in Developing Countries

Informal roundtable on material substitutes to single-use plastics in developing countries.

07 December 2021
Dialogue

Plastic Pollution and Trade: WTO, Basel Convention, and a Global Treaty on Plastic Pollution

Session to address how trade and trade policies can tackle plastic pollution.

02 December 2021
Dialogue

Tracking Trade Across the Life Cycle of Plastics: Launch of New Online Database

Launch session of a new online database on global trade flows across the life cycle of plastics.

30 September 2021
News - News

Briefing for the UN Secretary General on Transboundary Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution

TESS invited to brief the UN Secretary General and UN senior management on marine litter and plastic pollution.

01 September 2021
Publication - Policy Brief

Standards and the International Standardization Landscape: Relevance to Plastics

An overview of standardization organizations and plastics standards and their role in combatting plastic pollution.

Reinhard Weissinger 26 August 2021
Dialogue

Improving the Classification, Monitoring, and Reporting of Global Plastic Trade Flows

TESS hosted an expert meeting held on HS classifications and potential amendments to reduce plastics pollution.

17 June 2021