More than 40 representatives of the agro-food and flower sectors in East
Africa will meet in Nairobi next month to discuss how to manage new carbon
retail standards.
The two-day workshop (4–5 May) will provide essential information on the development of carbon
footprints and the methods for measuring and reporting emissions. Participants
will also consult on regional needs for the new ISO standard and address trade
opportunities and challenges for the East African Community (EAC).
The
EAC relies heavily on agro-industry exports but the introduction of carbon
labelling poses potential non-tariff barriers to exporters. The cost of
gathering data and the time and effort needed to learn
about the methods can be major challenges.
The International Trade
Centre (ITC), in partnership with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the
Swedish Institute of Standards (SIS) and in collaboration with the Kenya Fresh Produce Association of
Exporters (FPEAK), is organizing the event to respond to these challenges. The
event is supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
(Sida), and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) through the
ITC Trade, Climate Change and Environment Programme.
The workshop will bring together government institutions, development
organizations, private sector and business associations, and the agro-industry,
with regional and international experts.
Aicha
A. Pouye, Director of ITC’s Division of Business and Institutional Support, will
take part in the workshop. She said: “ITC believes that understanding how
environmental issues impact trade is now critical for the success of our
beneficiary countries. In particular minimizing potential non-tariff barriers
in trade, such as carbon standards,
and maximizing opportunities presented by environmental markets, such as
high-value food products and low-carbon technologies.”
SIS
Managing Director, Lars Flink, commented: “This event is a first important step
involving stakeholders from the EAC region that will have a substantial
influence on the development of the ISO standard on carbon footprints. Our aim
is to launch a long-term project to build capacity in the region to prepare for
the adoption of international environmental standards.”
There
are concerns that current carbon standards result in unfavourable ratings for
produce from developing countries. Stephen Mbithi, FPEAK’s Chief Executive
Officer, is keen to address this. “The horticulture industry in Kenya and in
Africa in general, aims to use this workshop to expand knowledge on the ISO
standard on carbon footprints,” he said. “We intend to inform our consumers
worldwide why growing crops in the tropics is good for the environment.”
KEBS Director of
Standards Development and International Trade,Evah
Oduor, said ‘The workshop will provide opportunity for stakeholders to
understand the new ISO standards on carbon footprints and therefore participate
effectively in the development of the international standard with a view to
creating positive change in the people’s daily lives’.
Following the workshop, ITC experts will interview key stakeholders of
the agro-food sector to assess how to assist exporters in meeting carbon
retail standards.
ITC
is planning to roll out this pilot to several other countries in 2010–2011. In
February, at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade and Environment Committee
meeting, ITC received a number of official requests for technical assistance on
carbon standards.
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