Trade and environment

In 2011, the Committee on Trade and Environment continued to pay particular attention to the effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to access to developed country markets, and those situations in which the elimination or reduction of trade restrictions and distortions would benefit the environment, development and trade. Discussions also focused on mutual supportiveness between trade and climate change. The WTO Secretariat prepared a submission to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), including a set of messages on sustainable development and trade that may be pronounced at the Conference, which will take place in Brazil in June 2012.