China introduced its new proposal to strengthen discussions and cooperation on carbon- standards, noting that there was an increasing number of new requirements 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 systematic review of carbon standards and enhancing information sharing within the WTO and its relevant bodies and with other international organizations; strengthening discussions and cooperation on carbon standards; and addressing challenges faced by developing members. 

Over 20 members took the floor, including those that spoke on behalf of groups of members. Many welcomed the focus on addressing fragmentation risks; several emphasized the need to align the CTE's work with existing efforts of other WTO bodies (especially the WTO's Technical Barriers to Trade Committee) and other organizations to avoid duplication of work and to ensure that discussions consider the varying capabilities of developing members. 

Japan updated members on its revised proposal on methodologies for measuring embedded carbon emissions, announcing that there were now eight co-sponsors, with Chile, Costa Rica, Israel and New Zealand joining Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom. Japan emphasized that its proposed non-binding guidance focuses on regulatory coherence and would not entail new obligations on members. It added that it welcomed members' engagement to address gaps or any remaining concerns and to advance the discussions by focussing on transparency in the coming months before moving onto other aspects of its proposal. 

Thirty members, including those speaking on behalf of groups, provided comments on Japan's proposal. Many supported its focus on transparency. Some noted that the effort should not extend to providing specific guidance, even if non-binding. Several members reiterated the need to keep in mind the development dimension in any work undertaken in this area. 

Members appreciated the format, structure and deep-dive discussions at the 16 October "interactive session" which demonstrated their collective interest in facilitating trade amid diverse carbon emissions measures and measurement methodologies. The CTE Chair, Ambassador Erwin Bollinger of Switzerland, noted members' positive feedback on the session and members' preference to focus on transparency and the development dimension at the next interactive session scheduled in December. 

Members once again briefly discussed the Russian Federation's submission on potential trade implications arising from any future global treaty on plastics pollution. 

Thematic session on sustainable agriculture

 On 3 November, members participated in the CTE's sixth thematic session, which focused on sustainable agriculture. The thematic session, co-moderated by Ms Kay Sealy (Barbados) and Ms Ariane Vincent (United Kingdom), comprised 14 presentations on how trade can contribute to sustainable agriculture, drawing on national, regional and institutional perspectives.

 After a scene-setting plenary, a session focused on how innovation, technologies and institutional arrangements can support the transition to a more sustainable and resilient agriculture sector. This was followed by a session that explored how trade policies and cooperation can facilitate sustainable and resilient agriculture while ensuring inclusivity. A final session - a members-only discussion - provided delegations an opportunity to share further experiences and recommendations. 

The programme and video recording are accessible here.

Other items

At the CTE meeting, members heard updates on preparations for the upcoming 2025 Climate Change Conference (COP30) from the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the WTO Secretariat. The COP30 Presidency (Brazil) joined online to introduce a communication, which Brazil had submitted together with Australia, outlining its plans to launch the Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade at COP30 in Belém later this week.

 The WTO Secretariat presented 2024 data from the WTO Environmental Database covering 1,637 environment-related measures drawn from 792 notifications.

 Members were briefed on developments regarding the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP), the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) and the Fossil Fuels Subsidy Reform (FFSR) initiative.

Next meeting

The next Committee meeting will be in February 2026.