WTO Discusses Creating Inventory of Trade Measures to Curb Plastics Pollution

World Trade Organization members involved in talks on combating plastics pollution met Sept. 18 to try to secure "meaningful outcomes" in curbing plastics pollution at the 14th Ministerial Conference, including through the creation of "domestic inventories of trade-related plastic measures."

The WTO Secretariat shared the results of a survey on domestic inventories and said there are gaps in information about non trade-related polices aimed at curbing the pollution. Members then floated the idea of creating a "global, publicly available online inventory of" trade-related plastic measures. The platform could include Harmonized System codes and boost transparency and cooperation, the WTO said.

On capacity building, the members looked at ways to boost developing nations' ability to "integrate trade as part of the solution to plastics pollution," the WTO said. Members "emphasized the importance of leveraging collaboration with other international organizations," which can "help developing members incorporate sustainable trade practices into their domestic strategies," the WTO said.