Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment

The Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment (RTEA) is an analytical process designed to flag areas of concern or opportunity for environmental sustainability in trade policy-making. Rather than focusing on lengthy quantitative analyses (as is the case for most methodologies), the RTEA provides a relatively fast assessment to identify and prioritize those trade policies, negotiations and sectors that have potential to negatively or positively impact the environment, and deliver the associated policy advice. In some cases this alone will be sufficient to warrant a change in the negotiating stance or domestic policy framework; in others, it may be the basis for more detailed analysis.

RTEAs carried out in Thailand (PDF - 916 kb) and Laos (PDF - 943 kb) (October 2006 – July 2007) served as a pilot to test and improve the methodology. IISD intends to use the RTEA, modified by the lessons of its first application, to help generate policy advice in other countries.

Country Reports

Thailand

In collaboration with the International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) and the Good Governance for Social Development and the Environment Institute (GSEI)

Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment (RTEA): National Report for Thailand
(PDF - 916 kb) » Sabrina Shaw, Bunchorn Songsamphant, Aaron Cosbey, Heike Baumüller, 2007 The report provides an overview of the economic and environmental context in Thailand, assesses both positive and negative environmental impacts of trade liberalization in key export sectors and outlines policy recommendations to capitalise on green market opportunities while minimizing threats of environmental harm.
Fisheries - Environmental impacts of trade liberalization (PDF - 112 kb) » Heike Baumüller, 2007 The paper outlines environmental concerns in Thailand's capture fisheries, aquaculture and processing industries and assesses how trade liberalisation in this sector might exacerbate some of the existing problems while also providing opportunities for reducing negative impacts.
Electrical and Electronic Equipment - Environmental impacts of trade liberalization (PDF - 114 kb) » Charit Tingsabadh, Pracha Jantarasarsophon, 2007 The paper assesses the environmental impacts of liberalizing trade in the Thai electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sector and outlines options for government policy-making, private sector engagement and capacity building to improve the sector's environmental performance.

Laos

In collaboration with IUCN-The World Conservation Union (Laos PDR office)

Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment (RTEA): National Report for Laos (PDF - 943 kb) » Sabrina Shaw, Tom Callander, Latsamay Sylavong, Aaron Cosbey, Heike Baumüller, 2007 The report provides an overview of the economic and environmental context in Lao PDR, assesses both positive and negative environmental impacts of trade liberalization in key export sectors and outlines policy recommendations to capitalise on green market opportunities while minimizing threats of environmental harm.
Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment (RTEA): National Report for Lao PDR - Executive Summary» Sabrina Shaw, Tom Callander, Latsamay Sylavong, Aaron Cosbey, Heike Baumüller, 2007 English (PDF - 199 kb) - Lao (PDF - 282 kb)
Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment (RTEA) Lao PDR Background papers
To inform the Rapid Trade and Environment Assessment for Lao PDR, seven background papers covering nine key economic sectors were commissioned by the RTEA Expert Advisory Panel, a body consisting of key government and private sector stakeholders established to provide overall guidance to the assessment process: wood and wood products; silk handicrafts; tourism; organic agriculture; medicinal plants and spices; bio-diesel; and hydropower, mining and construction materials sectors.

Where to read more...

Trade and Environment: A Resource Book (PDF - 1.8 kb) » Edited by Adil Najam, Mark Halle and Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz IISD, in collaboration with the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development and The Ring, has released this publication as a means to shed light on some of the key themes in the trade and environment debate. Penned by 61 authors from 34 countries, this volume provides a blend of background information, expert commentaries and resources including a glossary, and a trade and environment timeline.

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Key Publication

Environment and Trade: A Handbook - Second Edition

» UNEP, IISD, 2005.

This handbook, a joint effort of IISD and the United Nations Environment Programme, is aimed mainly at those with some knowledge about trade, environment or development, but not expert on the intersection of the three. It is also a practical reference tool for policy-makers and practitioners. But the target audience is not just government policy-makers; the media and public will also find it useful. The handbook uses clear language and a minimum of jargon. Its balanced, basic approach has made it a standard reference since the first edition was released in 2001.
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