Environment and trade: ITC publications

© Tomás Munita Global concern about environmental issues is driving a growing global market for environmental goods and services and sustainably-sourced products. This market contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through delivering both improved environmental quality and livelihood benefits for the poor in developing countries. ITC offers a range of information on trade and environment issues through numerous publications on topics that touch on highly relevant issues such as climate change, sustainability standards and sustainable sourcing, wildlife, and environmental services, among others. A complete collection is available for free on ITC's online publications catalogue: http://www.intracen.org/publications/collections/

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ITC publications on environment and trade

Biodiversity

Demand in Viet Nam for rhinoceros horn used in traditional medicine

The rhinoceros face the risk of extinction in the wild if current poaching rates continue. Viet Nam uses horn as an ingredient in Traditional Asian Medicine (TAM).

An ITC survey of 1000 consumers of TAM found they preferred rhino horn that is sourced in the wild, in a non-lethal way. While media campaigns and stiffer enforcement measures would reduce consumption, there is likely to remain a small hard core of users (30%).

Published: 2017 Available in: English

Trade in Python Skins: Impact on Livelihoods in Viet Nam/ Peninsular Malaysia Trade in biodiversity generates income for some of the world’s poorest people, while also contributing to wildlife conservation.

Two reports on python skin exports in Peninsular Malaysia and Viet Nam outline how this trade from wild-harvested and captive-bred sources creates employment and reduces poverty. The report provides relevant data and identifies capacity-building initiatives to support export development.

Published: 2016 Available in: English

Trade in Quinoa: Impact on the Welfare of Peruvian Communities Buying quinoa contributes to better livelihoods for rural Peruvian communities, according to this study. It provides data on the impact of changing market prices on the welfare of rural households in the altiplano of Peru. The findings inform policymakers about the benefits of the trade and challenges facing smallholders, following conflicting media reports on the impact of higher quinoa prices.

Published: 2016 Available in English

The Trade in Wildlife – A framework to improve biodiversity and livelihood outcomes Amid global concern about biodiversity loss and the surge in illegal trade of threatened species, international policy has turned its attention to trade restrictions, enforcement measures and demand-reduction strategies. This analytical framework recommends that policy decisions should balance factors related to the species and its habitat; governance and institutional settings; supply-chain structure; and markets.

Published: 2015 Available in: English, French, Spanish, Chinese

Markets for agricultural and natural products

Sustainable Sourcing: Markets for Certified Chinese Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Looking at the global market for sustainably wild-collected botanical ingredients from China, this study promotes recognition and implementation of sustainable wild-collection standards and certification schemes in China. It also examines exports of wild-collected and cultivated botanical, algal and fungal ingredients and market segments.

Published: 2016 Available in: English

Market analysis for three Peruvian natural ingredients Peruvian producers and exporters find in this study an overview of the market potential in the United States and Canada for three natural ingredients that are essential for biodiversity: golden berry, Peruvian mesquite and sacha inchi. The study provides market, regulatory and technical requirements; contact details for finished-product companies that use Peruvian natural ingredients; and recommendations for Peruvian producers to produce with consistent quality.

Published: 2013 Available in: English

The North American Market for Natural Products: Prospects for Andean and African Products This paper provides key information about the North American natural products market with a special focus on selected South American and African products. It includes a description of products, prices and distribution channels, as well as requirements for access in terms of regulations, standards, product presentation and application forms.

Published: 2012 Available in: English

Labelling of Natural Products: The United States Market This paper provides easy-to-follow guidance on the basic labelling requirements for finished natural product and sustainability certification. It includes in-depth guidance on labelling requirements for all categories of natural products, namely cosmetics, herbal dietary supplements, health food, and herbal drugs.

Published: 2012 Available in: English, Spanish

Claim Statements for Natural Products: The United States Market This paper describes the types of claim statements permissible for dietary supplements and health food products, non-food cosmetic products, and over-the-counter drug products marketed in the United States. It provides examples of acceptable and non-acceptable claims for a range of Peruvian exported natural products as well as links to the relevant regulations and guidance documents.

Published: 2012 Available in: English, Spanish

Organic food products in China: Market overview This publication provides guidance to developing country exporters – mainly from Africa – on accessing new and emerging country markets, such as China. It provides an initial overview of the Chinese market for organic products, as well as inputs for an initial proactive marketing strategy and preparation of the exporter’s sales visit.

Published: 2011 Available in: English

Environmental services

Services in Global Value Chains: Solar Panel Manufacturing in China

This case study of a Chinese solar panel producer investigates the role of services in manufacturing value chains, and highlights the effect of government policies on photovoltaic industry development and international trade flows. The case illustrates how both domestic and foreign government policies can impact solar panel manufacturing and export.

Published: 2014 Available in: English

Trade in Environmental Goods and Services: Opportunities and Challenges

Understanding the global demand for environmental goods and services can unlock new export opportunities for small firms in developing country. This study provides a market overview of this complex sector, which is expected to rise to $1.9 trillion by 2020. Providing practical tips for small businesses, it has the latest information on moves to reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers to environmental goods, and harmonize standard lists for environmental goods and services.

Published: 2014 Available in: English

Climate change

Environmental Mainstreaming: A Guide for Project Managers

This guide provides project managers with tools to assess environmental considerations in project planning and implementation, in order to mitigate risks, enhance resilience and seize opportunities to expand trade in sustainable goods and services.

Published: 2016 Available in: English

Climate Change and the Agri-Food Trade Climate change is reducing the competitiveness of agricultural exports from developing countries. Agri-food exporters in Peru and Uganda call on their governments to integrate climate change into long-term, sector-specific policies and investment strategies. The study recommends an international climate platform to share best practices; targeted training; sustainable certification; and financing for sustainable practices.

Published: 2015

Available in: English and Spanish

Mitigating Climate Change in Tea Sector

This is a first training guide that helps tea farmers and factories lower their emissions and reduce energy costs. Created with the Ethical Tea Partnership, the Rainforest Alliance and FLOCERT using a Kenya Tea Development Agency factory as a pilot case, this report shows that climate change is having an impact on tea quantity and quality. It outlines options for tea factory managers and farm extension officers and outlines carbon footprint measurement.

Published: 2014 Available in: English

Product Carbon Footprinting Standards in the Agri-Food Sector This paper aims to guide exporters of agricultural products through the process of product carbon footprinting. It presents a typology of PCF schemes and initiatives, the different steps involved in calculating a PCF, the main challenges in relation to methodology, data and uncertainty, issues particularly relevant to developing countries, and an overview of potential mitigation measures.

Published: 2012 Available in: English, French and Spanish

Cotton and Climate Change: Impacts and options to mitigate and adapt Cotton production is both a contributor to and a ‘victim’ of climate change. This report summarizes the impact of cotton production and consumption on climate change and the options and incentives for reducing emissions. It also examines the impact of climate change on cotton production and the options for adaptation.

Published: 2011 Available in: English, French

Climate Change and the Coffee Industry This paper focuses on the effect of climate change on global coffee production, with particular reference to small coffee producers in developing and least developed countries. It highlights the effects of climate change on quality, yield, pests and diseases, and irrigation; considers potential areas of intervention, and looks at short-term solutions and long-term strategies to better prepare coffee producers with initiatives to reduce product carbon footprint.

Published: 2010 Available in: English, French and Spanish

Sustainable sourcing

Social and Environmental Standards: Contributing to More Sustainable Value Chains

This joint ITC-European University Institute report aims to uncover what makes standards more accessible to producers.

The institutional design of standards and their governance structure can make standards more accessible through cost sharing, assistance and transparency. It shows how country-level characteristics affect the number of standards available and provides guidance for policymakers on how to support the integration of small businesses into sustainable value chains.

Published: 2016 Available in: English

The State of Sustainable Markets: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2017

Voluntary sustainability standards are in the mainstream, and no longer a novelty for niche markets.

This second global report outlines data on area, production volume and producers for 14 major sustainability standards across bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, palm oil, soybeans, cane sugar, tea and forestry products. The report is based on a partnership with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture and the International Institute of Sustainable Development. The data can help shape decisions of policymakers, producers and businesses, working to address systemic labour and environmental challenges through certified sustainable production.

Published: 2017 Available in: English

The State of Sustainable Markets: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2015

This first global data report on fast-growing voluntary sustainability standards outlines the share of bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, forestry, palm oil, soybeans, cane sugar and tea in 14 major standards.

The publication is based on a partnership with the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) and offers a structured way to formalize the reporting process with a view to making data on sustainable markets more accessible to all users.

Published: 2016 Available in: English

Related videos

ITC YouTube playlist: Climate Change

See the ITC playlist on YouTube with practical tips on how to create a greener world through trade.

Contact person: Natalie Domeisen E-mail: domeisen@intracen.org Telephone: +41-22 730 0111 Street address: ITC, 54-56, rue de Montbrillant ,1202 Geneva, Switzerland Postal address: ITC, Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland Internet: www.intracen.org