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The Future of Aid for Trade – a dialogue

11/27/2012 5:42:33 AM

"The Future of Aid for Trade" was the subject of a dialogue hosted last week by the WTO and organized by ICTSD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland. Here are some of the key findings from presentations over the 1.5 day proceedings.There was general...

Why fair trade may not be the best way to help the poor

11/19/2012 1:32:12 AM

MR University continues its online course on Development Economics with the most recent entry being a video on "Does fair trade help?" Here it is argued that middle income countries benefit the most from fair trade and not the poorest countries as...

Debunking food miles – taking a holistic approach to agro-food trade and climate change

11/12/2012 5:43:10 AM

Up to a third of the greenhouse gas emissions come from production and consumption of food. As economies develop, they become more reliant on the import of food. However, the food miles concept that has caught on and persisted in several developed economies...

An evaluation framework for Aid for Trade projects with exporting firms

11/05/2012 1:36:50 AM

How can Aid for Trade effectively reach the poor to help their participation in global value chains? This was the subject of a regular "ideas sharing" breakfast meeting held in ITC this week. The meeting shared approaches on how to reach these beneficiaries...

A strategy to increase green tourism competitiveness in developing countries

10/18/2012 2:06:13 AM

A new book published this summer and launched at Rio +20 is entitled "Green Growth and Travelism - Letters from Leaders". It includes a Letter from Patricia Francis, Executive Director of ITC who speaks about the opportunities for developing countries...

Professor Amartya Sen talks in Geneva

10/04/2012 3:27:58 AM

Economics is a "moral and social science" but is subject to widespread scepticism - it is seen as subjective and imprecise. However, when economic analysis is ignored, the social cost can be enormous. A warning from Nobel Laureate, Professor Amartya...

Mid term evaluation - Trade and Environment Programme

08/16/2012 9:34:43 AM

As part of its commitment to transparency in the delivery of Aid for Trade, ITC recently completed an independent mid term evaluation of its Trade and Environment Programme.

Rio+20: What it means for Aid for Trade and ITC

08/10/2012 9:10:12 AM

In today’s blog post we share our thoughts on what the Rio+20 outcome document means for ITC and its work. While trade is only explicitly mentioned in a handful of paragraphs, the principles of sustainable development mentioned throughout the outcome document have broad implications for the Aid for Trade Agenda.

Services and the Environment

07/26/2012 10:26:19 AM

Aaditya Mattoo, an economist from the World Bank was in Geneva recently giving a talk at ITC.

Market based instruments to address climate change - Part II

06/13/2012 9:07:59 AM

Following on from the last post on the lecture at ITC by Professor Stavins, here are some of his thoughts on designing effective climate policies.

Experts to showcase business models that do good while making a profit

06/12/2012 5:53:31 AM

Businesses do not have to choose between profits and contributing to inclusive growth. ITC, at an event to be held within the framework of Rio+20, will demonstrate this through business models which turn a profit while also integrating marginalised communities in a sustainable way...

Trade opportunities identified for developing countries moving toward green economy

06/12/2012 5:36:54 AM

There are many opportunities for developing countries to increase their trade in the transition to a green economy. ITC and its partners, at events to be held within the framework of Rio+20, will balance the debate on risks associated with moving towards a green economy with results of a study which demonstrates concrete examples of opportunities for trade...

Importance of trade for inclusive and sustainable growth to be highlighted at Rio+20 events

06/12/2012 5:20:55 AM

There are new and innovative opportunities in trade for sustainable development and engaging in the green economy. ITC is highlighting some of the ways in which small businesses in developing countries can take advantage advantage of such opportunities at a series of events it is hosting within the framework of the Rio+20 conference in Brazil this month...

ITC participates in WTO’s first advanced course on trade and environment in Geneva, Switzerland, 16-27 April

04/23/2012 9:13:54 AM

Government officials from 26 developing countries participated in WTO’s first-ever Advanced Course on Trade and Environment in Geneva, Switzerland, with ITC’s Trade and Environment Programme providing part of the training...

TEP Newsletter Issue 2

04/16/2012 4:10:35 AM

This newsletter provides an update of TEP activities over the last 12 months, including work in the areas of: Trade and Climate Change, Organic Products Market Development, Biodiversity Based Products, and Wildlife Trade.

TEP Publication List

04/04/2012 11:53:07 AM

ITC offers a range of information on trade, climate change and environment related issues through technical papers, publications, articles and presentations.

Analyzing the Trade in Wildlife

03/29/2012 4:37:05 AM

In 2011, the TEP began a new collaboration with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). ITC will analyze the trade in python skins and look at ways to strengthen the sustainability of the trade.

Peru: Launch of Biotrade Project

03/28/2012 11:50:48 AM

In May 2011, TEP launched a new project in Peru aimed at improving the competitiveness of Peruvian SMEs and micro enterprises exporting biodiversity based products.The project is being implemented in partnership with PROMPERU and Perubiodiverso (GiZ/SECO)...

Part II: News from the Carbon and Water Management workshop taking place yesterday and today in Kenya.

12/09/2011 11:23:49 AM

Climate change is driving changes to both production and market access for the Kenyan Horticultural industry. ITC, COLEACP-PIP together with the Kenya Fresh Produce Exporters Association (FPEAK) organized a workshop to provide an overview of the sustainability...

News from the Carbon and Water Management workshop taking place today and tomorrow in Kenya

12/08/2011 11:55:58 AM

Climate change is driving changes to both production and market access for the Kenyan Horticultural industry. ITC, PIP together with the Kenya Fresh Produce Exporters Association (FPEAK) are organizing a workshop to providean overview of the sustainability...

Workshop: Carbon and Water Management in Horticultural Exports from East Africa. 8-9 December, Kenya

12/01/2011 10:22:31 AM

Exporters of horticultural products increasingly have to comply with buyers environmental requirements such as carbon and water standards. This can be particularly challenging for SMEs from developing countries in terms of costs of compliance but also time and effort for companies in learning about different methodologies. This workshop aims to address these concerns...

ITC's Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategy

05/18/2011 5:58:17 AM

Mitigation - an obligation and an opportunity In view of the challenges posed by climate change, the Secretary General of the UN has asked all UN agencies to “walk the talk” and to “lead by example”. In 2007, the UN Chief Executive Board adopted a Climate Neutral Strategy, committing a

Climate change, the World Bank and Aid for Trade

02/05/2013 4:04:06 AM

According to media reports, last month the new President of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim, spent 7 of his 10 minutes speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos warning business executives about the impending catastrophe of climate change. This...

Reaching a political tipping point on climate change

11/07/2012 6:56:34 AM

In his victory speech this morning, newly elected President Obama acknowledged "the destructive power of the warming planet". Last week, Mayor Bloomberg of New York City endorsed President Barack Obama in his candidacy for the US President due in part...

Coffee and Climate Change – a new Guide from ITC

10/22/2012 1:26:37 AM

Climate change is challenging what people take for granted in terms of livelihoods and lifestyles. With projected 3°C to 5°C average rises in temperature this century, the resulting drop in productivity (to zero in places), will mean millions of smallholders having to find alternative livelihoods.

Trade and Environment team launches blog

08/13/2012 11:07:31 AM

The team behind ITC’s Trade and Environment Programme (TEP) has launched a blog that aims to provide a wider perspective on issues related to the programme and inform readers on general issues related to trade and the environment. The blog will share...

Climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Kenyan tea sector

08/03/2012 7:27:14 AM

ITC has recently partnered up with the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), Rainforest Alliance and FLO-CERT to support smallholder tea farmers to both adapt to and mitigate the climate change impacts associated with their supply chains.

Market based instruments to address climate change

07/12/2012 11:03:04 AM

Professor Stavins of Harvard spoke at ITC today as he was attending a GTAP conference, ITC was co-hosting with the WTO and UNCTAD. For an hour, he spoke about climate change policy as well as touching on trade issues.

ITC's Rio+20 events put spotlight on green opportunities

06/22/2012 6:23:16 AM

This month, as a part of the Rio+20 Conference, ITC’s trade and environment team held a series of events, focused on identifying concrete ways that developing country exporters can benefit from the transition to a green economy.

Events focus on trade and the green economy

06/14/2012 5:14:26 AM

WHO: The International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the UN and WTO, is hosting side-events within Rio+20 which focus on trade opportunities in the green economy. WHY:There are new and innovative opportunities in trade for sustainable development...

Trade and Climate Change Projects

04/04/2012 10:22:46 AM

In East Africa, ITC is working with the tea, fruit and vegetable sectors with the overall objective to strengthen the capacity of agricultural exporters to deal with carbon standards, mitigate GHG emissions and access adaptation financing.

Trade and Climate Change

04/04/2012 8:58:19 AM

The objective of ITC's programme on carbon is to assist SMEs and TSIs in developing countries to understand new requirements on carbon product standards and to work with them to mitigate carbon emissions in line with market requirements.

Cotton and Climate Change

03/28/2012 8:40:17 AM

In June 2011, TEP published a new technical paper on the impact of climate change on cotton production and options to mitigate and adapt. The paper is available online in English, French and Spanish.

Product Carbon Footprinting - How to Guide

03/28/2012 6:10:09 AM

ITC has published a new technical paper on Product Carbon Footprinting Standards in the Agri-Food Sector. The paper aims to guide exporters of agricultural products through the process of product carbon footprinting (PCF) so as to make it easier for them to understand the processes involved, imporve their environmental performance and ultimately reduce the costs for their business.

Workshop on Carbon and Water Standards for Trade in Agricultural Products in Kenya

03/27/2012 9:23:36 AM

In December 2011, ITC in collaboration with COLEACP-PIP and the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) held a multi-stakeholder workshop on carbon and water management in agricultural exports from East Africa.

Agri-environment as a market opportunity

09/28/2011 8:37:57 AM

Through its Trade, Climate Change and Environment Programme (TCCEP), ITC is strengthening the competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and trade support institutions (TSIs) in agri-environmental sectors in developing countries....

Water Smart: The role of water and technology in food security

09/28/2011 4:29:40 AM

The recent drought-related famine in East Africa has put the focus on the need to make smarter use of existing water resources and, where possible, make more water available for food production. Smart water management technologies will provide the...

Growing pains: The influence of climate change on agriculture

09/27/2011 11:16:58 AM

As a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture is both a contributor to climate change and a potential casualty. Resolving the tension between meeting food security needs whilst also reducing emissions presents a major development challenge....

News Brief

09/27/2011 9:41:04 AM

Agricultural production in Sierra Leone strengthened by the World Bank The World Bank recently announced that it would provide US$ 42 million worth of grants funding to support agricultural development in Sierra Leone. The funding, a joint agreement...

Food Security, Agriculture & Trade Development

09/27/2011 9:27:14 AM

Somalia is facing one of the worst food crises the world has seen in 60 years. The scale of the humanitarian disaster provides an ominous backdrop to this issue of International Trade Forum as we focus on food security, agriculture and trade development....