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Global product chains: Northern consumers, Southern producers, and sustainability

Pakistan case study now available (.pdf)

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Welcome!

Photo of the writing Group
Photo of the authors taken in Costa Rica
In the front, from left to right: Juan Pablo Buchert (INCAE), Onno Kuik, Crist Inman with son, Christopher Mupimpila, Chito Salazar. In the back, from left to right: Crist's wife, a friend of Crist, Bernd Schanzenbacher (UNEP), Nicolien van der Grijp, Konrad von Moltke.

  • Real Media Interview with Richard BlackhurstListen to an Interview with Richard Blackhurst, former Director, Economic Research, World Trade Organization (WTO) on Global Product Chains (8m18s)
  • Real Media Excerpts from a discussion with Konrad von MoltkeListen to excerpts from a discussion with Konrad von Moltke, IVM, on the report/case study findings (4m24s)
  • Real Media Écouter une entrevue avec Michel Potier, Chef de la Division Economique, Direction de l'environnement, OCDE, concernant "Global Product Chains" (6m36s)
  • Real Media discussion with Jan Borring, about Global Product ChainsListen to Jan Borring from the Department of the Environment of Norway discuss his thoughts on the Global Product Chains as an analytical tool (4m56s)
  • Real Media interview with Sarah Roberts and Marie-Claire Segger-CordonnierListen to Sarah Roberts, IIED, and Marie-Claire Segger-Cordonnier, IISD/ICTSD discuss the outcomes of the Global Product Chains Report (8m53s)

Download the Required RealPlayer

This Online Conference opens the debate on trade impacts on developing countries of changing patterns of production and consumption in developed countries.

The basic question ... is a very simple one. Northern consumers purchase goods in whose production southern producers have participated. The relevant production in southern countries entails environmental costs for which northern consumers should pay, but often may not. Furthermore northern consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impacts of goods they purchase, including impacts in southern countries. How can we structure the relationships between northern consumers and southern producers to ensure that environmental costs are paid by consumers and reach producers? Do northern environmental concerns create obstacles or opportunities for southern producers?

A report on these impacts, including case studies, has been drafted as part of a UNEP-funded project involving the Amsterdam Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), Vrije Universiteit, and partners in developing countries. The draft report forms the background for the conference, and recommendations from the conference will be fed back into the report. This conference will:

  • disseminate information about the study;
  • solicit feedback on key issues within the study to be fed into the final product;
  • build public awareness of the developing country aspects of production and consumption; and,
  • contribute to an Internet resource base on sustainable production and consumption.

Participate!

There are four conference discussions. The authors of the draft report and case studies will be moderators for the discussions. You must register for each discussion you wish to participate in. All conference discussions can be read online. Select each link below for further information.
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