Technology Transfer, Trade, and the Environment

The Geneva International Academic Network recently released the report, Technology Transfer, Trade, and the Environment: Promoting Synergy for Sustainable Development among the World Trade Organisation and Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

Increasing the availability of environmental goods and services (EGS) through market liberalisation is seen as exemplifying the potential "win-win" relationship between trade and environment. Lower costs induced by lower or zero tariffs and non-tariff barriers would allow World Trade Organisation (WTO) Members to economise on resource/energy use and to increase their access to new technologies and know-how. At the same time, WTO Members would be able to comply with better environmental standards and adequately implement multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), most of which incorporate technology transfer provisions that have not been fully operationalised.

Paragraph 31 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration mandated negotiations for WTO Members on the reduction or, as appropriate, elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to EGS, with a view to enhancing the mutual supportiveness of trade and environment. These negotiations on EGS are indeed taking place in several WTO bodies, with significant engagement on the part of both developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, WTO Members have not yet found a meaningful way to proceed. In particular, the lack of understanding of and information on the concrete environmental needs and concerns in relation to technology, trade, and the environment have been an obstacle to progress towards a meaningful result.

At the same time, negotiations and discussions in the environmental context continue to highlight the importance of the development, access to, and dissemination of technology for the implementation of international environmental objectives, strategies, and provisions. They also increasingly emphasise the key role trade institutions and rules must play in this regard. The disconnection between the environmental and trade communities, however, threatens to impede adequate consideration of these issues and perspectives in the context of the paragraph 31 negotiations.

For more information, see

http://www.ruig-gian.org/research/projects/project.php?ID=136.