On 04 November 2025, the World Customs Organization WCO advised that at the Committee on Trade and Environment CTE meeting, World Trade Organization WTO members had discussed proposals to foster more transparency and cooperation amid various carbon emission policies that may impact the flow of trade. Members also heard a report on the CTE sustainable agriculture thematic session held earlier this week.
The Peoples Republic of China introduced its new proposal to strengthen discussions and cooperation on carbon standards, noting that an increasing number of new requirements are emerging that will have a bearing on both trade and climate change. China said the proposal, which aims to build on existing efforts across WTO bodies, offers suggestions in three areas: conducting a systematic review of carbon standards and enhancing information sharing within the WTO and its relevant bodies and with other international organisations strengthening discussions and cooperation on carbon standards and addressing challenges faced by developing members.
Over 20 members took the floor, including those who spoke on behalf of groups of members. Many welcomed the focus on addressing fragmentation risks several emphasised the need to align the CTEs work with existing efforts of other WTO bodies especially the WTOs Technical Barriers to Trade TBT Committee and other organisations to avoid duplication of work and to ensure that discussions consider the varying capabilities of developing members.
