United Nations Environment ProgrammeDivision of Technology, Industry and EconomicsEconomics and Trade BranchINFORMATION BULLETIN Issue No. 14, October - December 2004

UNEP-UNSD Meeting on Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting

Copenhagen, 19-23 September 2004This meeting was organized jointly by UNEP and theUnited Nations Statistical Division (UNSD).Participants included representatives from Australia,Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, India, Jordan,Mexico, Morocco, Philippines, South Africa, Sweden,USA as well as from Eurostat, UNDP, ECLAC,ESCWA and individual experts. The meeting wasconvened to provide a forum for consultation, identi-fication of needs and priorities in this area of work, andto assist in the development of an action programmeto promote the implementation of IntegratedEnvironmental and Economic Accounting (IEEA). Aproposal for a joint UNEP/UNSD Committee onIEEA was put forward for discussion. The proposed Committee would help to raise theprofile of environmental accounting beyond the sta-tistics community and play amajor role in the promotion ofenvironmental accounts, under-take further work on classifica-tions, harmonization of data,concepts and methods, coordina-tion of work in this area at theinternational and national level,and monitor and assess imple-mentation at the national andregional levels. The Committee would also promoteand coordinate activities and interaction between sta-tistical users and practitioners and identify gaps inknowledge, methodologies and institutional as wellas other gaps in using IEEA, and raise funds to sup-port further research and development of techniques,capacity building and implementation. The propo-sal will be considered at the next UN StatisticalCommission meeting in March 2005.The meeting was held back to back with the 9thMeeting of the London Group on EnvironmentalAccounting. The London Group provides a forumfor the exchange of experience in the field of IEEAand has played a major role in the advancement ofmethodology in environmental-economic accoun-ting. There was general agreement that the LondonGroup would provide an expert body upon whichthe UN Committee could rely for development ofmethodologies and technical support.

Third International IFOAM* Conference onBiodiversity and Organic AgricultureNairobi, 24-26 September 2004The meeting was organized in cooperation withUNEP, the German Federal Agency for NatureConservation (BfN) and The World ConservationUnion (IUCN). The objectives of the meeting were to:create a platform for international information andknowledge exchange on the relationship between bio-diversity and organic agriculture, with a focus on thethematic relevance for developing countries; provide aplatform for networking; intensify cooperation amongthe organizing and cooperating partners and a widespectrum of stakeholders; and prepare for and contri-bute to the IUCN Agro-Ecology Conference inNairobi in September and the IUCN World Assembly

in November in Bangkok. TheConference was attended byGovernment officials, NGOs, far-mers’ associations from developedand developing countries, as wellas representatives from FAO andUNCTAD.Discussions at the Conferenceindicated there is a clear need forfurther research to be carried out

on organic agriculture (OA), in particular on develo-ping statistics on organic products and enhancingunderstanding of the interrelationships between OA,environmental and biodiversity conservation, sustai-nable trade promotion, food security and povertyreduction.

UNEP/UNCTAD Project on Organic Agriculturein Kenya: National Stakeholders’ Meeting Nairobi, 27 September 2004The objective of the meeting was to discuss withGovernment representatives and relevant stakehol-ders the proposed UNEP/UNCTAD project on OAin Kenya, receive feedback and input on the objec-tives and propose the way forward. Participantsincluded representatives from the Ministry ofAgriculture, the National Environment ManagementAuthority (NEMA), the Ministry of Trade andIndustry, KOAN, KIOF, Kenya International Freightand Warehousing Association (KIFWA), Environ-

Issue No. 14

CONTENTS

UNEP-UNSD Meeting onIntegrated Environmental andEconomic Accounting Copenhagen,19-23 September 2004

Third International IFOAM*Conference on Biodiversity andOrganic Agriculture Nairobi, 24-26September 2004

UNEP/UNCTAD Project on OrganicAgriculture in Kenya: NationalStakeholders’ Meeting Nairobi, 27 September 2004

Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Environ-mental Impact Assessment (EIA) Tunis, 19-22 September 2004

UNEP-UNCTAD CBTF TrainingWorkshop on Enhancing PolicyCoordination on Trade andEnvironment Issues: Implementationof MEAs Containing Trade-relatedMeasures Phnom Penh, Cambodia,5-6 October 2004

IAIA Capacity Development Workshopon the Marrakech Declaration andAction Plan Marrakech, 6-9 October 2004

Training Workshop onTransboundary EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA) in North-East Asia, Seoul, 24-31 October 2004

Update on IAP Initiative

WTO Committee on Trade andEnvironment Meetings12-14 October 2004

Economics and Trade BranchDivision of Technology,Industry and EconomicsUNEP11-13 chemin des Anémones1219 ChâtelaineSwitzerlandTel. +41 22 917 8298Fax +41 22 917 8076URL: http://www.unep.ch/etu/

* International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements

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mental Integrated Systems, Kenya, Bridge Africa,Sustainable Agriculture Community DevelopmentProgramme (SACDEP) Kenya, Kenyatta University,and the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Researchand Analysis (KIPPRA). Kenya currently has no clear legislation and no speci-fic policy regarding OA, there is currently littleGovernment support for OA and there are no exten-sion workers trained in this field. A strategic plan forpromoting OA has been completed, and the stan-dards developed by KOAN, which aim to harmonizeexisting standards, have been adopted by theNational Bureau of Standards. The Government isalso developing its own standards which may even-tually form the regulation. Projects on OA are also being considered in Tanzaniaand Uganda.

Train-the-Trainer Workshop on EnvironmentalImpact Assessment (EIA) Tunis, 19-22 September 2004This train-the-trainers workshop was organizedby the Tunis International Centre for EnvironmentalTechnologies (CITET) within the framework of the

Mediterranean Environmental Pro-tection Technical Assistance Program(METAP) and in cooperation withUNEP ETB and the Post ConflictAssessment Unit (PCAU). Theworkshop targeted METAP coun-tries in West Asia and broughttogether EIA experts from Syria,Lebanon, Palestine Authorities,Albania, Egypt, Jordan and Iraq.

The entire workshop was based on UNEP’s TrainingResource Manual on EIA and each country had toprepare one training topic and present it to theother participants. The training reconfirmed theneed to improve EIA systems in the region in orderto really integrate environmental aspects into deci-sion-making. Most countries face similar problems,such as EIA systems that are donor-driven, a stronginfluence from other sector ministries, insufficientpublic involvement, lack of personnel resources andweak monitoring systems. The trainers trained inthis workshop can now play an important role intraining other stakeholder groups in their countries- such as government officials, consultants and civilsociety representatives.

UNEP-UNCTAD CBTF Training Workshop onEnhancing Policy Coordination on Trade andEnvironment Issues: Implementation of MEAsContaining Trade-related MeasuresPhnom Penh, Cambodia, 5-6 October 2004The aim of this training workshop was to build capa-city in Cambodia on trade and environment issuesrelated to the implementation of four multilateralenvironmental agreements – the Basel Convention,the Convention on International Trade inEndangered Species, the Montreal Protocol and theConvention on Biological Diversity and its BiosafetyProtocol. The workshop was opened by HE Khong

Samnuon, Secretary of State, Cambodian Ministry ofEnvironment, and HE Sok Siphana, Secretary of State,Ministry of Commerce and included 40 participantsfrom Cambodian federal and regional government ins-titutions, non-governmentalorganizations,academia andthe private sec-tor attended theworkshop. A number of is-sues were high-lighted for dis-cussion, including Cambodia’s recent accession to theWTO and the current financial and human capacityconstraints to efforts to implement multilateral envi-ronmental agreements (MEAs). It was also noted thatin order for Cambodia to actively participate in thetrade and environment negotiations taking place inthe WTO it is necessary for the key governmentministries to have a sound understanding of thenegotiating mandate, various negotiating positionsand relevant provisions within MEAs that have a bea-ring on the negotiations. A number of high priorityissues for trade and environment capacity buildingactivities in Cambodia were highlighted: the need toenhance national coordination for the effectiveimplementation of MEAs; the need for training onthe application of environmental impact assessmentsto determine the impact of economic activity on sus-tainable development; the need for technical assistan-ce and capacity building for government officials andcustoms officers on issues related to MEA implemen-tation; and the need to study the potential and risksof promoting organic agriculture in Cambodia. Thefollowing specific thematic areas were mentioned ascritical to Cambodia: deforestation and illegal log-ging; water quality (illegal settlements along majorlakes); coastal areas that are under threat from unre-gulated development; loss of biodiversity from illegaltrade and pollution; application of chemicals, herbi-cides and pesticides in agriculture; and disposal ofused batteries.For further information, please visithttp://www.unep-unctad.org/cbtf/cbtf2/F1.htm

IAIA Capacity Development Workshop on theMarrakech Declaration and Action Plan Marrakech, 6-9 October 2004The International Association for Impact Assessment(IAIA) workshop was convened to discuss and finali-ze the Marrakech Declaration and Plan of Action forCapacity Building for Impact Assessment adopted inJune 2003. Along with the Declaration, IAIA dele-gates agreed that a Plan of Action should be develo-ped and presented to the IAIA 2004 annual meetingin Vancouver. This initiative was based on a sugges-tion made by UNEP to IAIA in preparation for the2003 annual meeting. Institutions represented at themeeting included IAIA Board members and selectedinstitutions including UNEP, the World Bank,UNDP and DIFID. Presentations were made by

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several participants who have ongoing environmentalassessment programmes. UNEP’s presentation focused on the lessons learnedfrom its capacity building activities, including gaps incurrent capacity building activities due to lack of:needs assessment; public participation; addressingnational priorities; evaluation and assessment; involve-ment of national experts and institutions; a long termperspective; a comprehensive approach; inter ministe-rial coordination; policy response packages and beingcountry-driven. UNEP emphasized that in order topromote the integration of the environment inmacroeconomic policies it is necessary to demonstrateand establish the linkages between environment, deve-lopment, poverty reduction and trade promotion.

Training Workshop on Transboundary Environ-mental Impact Assessment (EIA) in North-EastAsia, Seoul, 24-31 October 2004The workshop was organized by the KoreanEnvironment Institute (KEI) in cooperation withUNEP ETB. The objective was to familiarize thecountries within the Tument NET initiative witheach others’ EIA systems. Tumen NET is a NorthAsian Multilateral Development CooperationInitiative bas-ed around the sustainable develop-ment of the River Tumen Basin. Participants inclu-ded representatives from national environment andresource management ministries and research insti-tutes from South Korea, Russia, Mongolia andChina, local government representatives from Chinaand Russia and one non-governmental organiza-tion. The workshop was orientated around presen-tations of the countries’ EIA systems, technical dis-cussions on EIA methodologies and presentation ofexamples of international ‘good practice’ includingthe ESPOO Convention on Transboundary EIAand the Caspian Sea Guidelines on TransboundaryEIA. It also included a study tour to a railway stationbeing jointly developed by North and South Korea.

Update on IAP InitiativeThe UNEP Initiative on Integrated Assessment andPlanning for Sustainable Development (IAP) seeks toenhance the capacities of countries, particularly deve-loping countries and countries with economies intransition, to undertake integrated assessment as atool to improve the design of plans and programmes,with particular focus on sustainable trade promotion,poverty reduction and sound environmental manage-ment. Eleven country projects are being conductedunder this initiative. Russia, Chile and IndonesiaThe first project was launched in Russia in December2003 and is led by the Ministry of EconomicDevelopment and Trade. The designated national ins-titution in charge of it is ECOLINE. An integratedassessment of a Regional Development Plan in theTomsk Region will be conducted and a District Planfor the cities of Tomsk and Asinski will be developed.This project was chosen because, despite efforts fromthe state and local governments, poverty reduction andachieving sound environmental management remains a

challenge to be addressed in this region that is endowedwith natural resources. The next two projects were launched in Chile andIndonesia in May 2004. In Chile, the Ministry ofAgriculture leads the project and Recursos eInvestigación para el Desarrollo Sustentable (RIDES) isthe national institution in charge of conducting thestudy. The Chile team will conduct an integratedassessment of the EnvironmentalAgenda of the Ministry of Agricultureby analysing five key sub-sectors: fores-try, fruit, wheat, poultry and dairy pro-ducts. These sectors were chosen becau-se of their economic relevance, potentialinfluence on poverty reduction, envi-ronmental impacts and trade potential. The Indonesia project is led by theNational Planning Agency (BAPPE-NAS), and Conservation International Indonesia is theinstitution in charge of facilitating it. An integratedassessment of Indonesia’s Poverty Reduction StrategyPaper (PRSP) will be conducted and StrategicGuidelines for Poverty Reduction will be developed.The project will focus on the Buleleng District in theBali Province. This district was chosen because of thecommitment of the local government to the project,familiarity and involvement in the PRSP process,environmental relevance, high povertyincidence and strong domestic andinternational trade issues. Colombia, Uganda and BrazilDuring the last quarter, national laun-ching workshops were convened inColombia and Uganda (September).The Colombian project will underta-ke an integrated assessment of theFree Trade Agreement that Colombiais negotiating with the United States (US-Col FTA)in order to contribute to the development of thePlan of Implementation. The negotiated trade libe-ralization in the agricultural sector and its relation-ship with biodiversity and food security will be ana-lysed to enhance understanding of the linkages ofthe three pillars of sustainable development withparticular focus on the small farmers. The Ministryof Environment, Housing and TerritorialDevelopment leads the project, andthe Instituto Alexander von Humboldtis in charge of facilitating it.The Uganda project is being led bythe National Environmental Man-agement Agency (NEMA) and theEconomic Policy Research Centre isthe designated institution in charge offacilitating the project. An integratedassessment will be carried out in the Trade Sector inclose cooperation with the Working Group onTrade. The project will identify key issues that needto be addressed to achieve sustainable trade andenhanced use of natural resources.The Brazil project has just been launched (October)and will focus on analysing the impact of an infra-structure development project (Federal Highway

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BR 163). The Brazilian Ministry of Environment is in charge ofthe study and the Centre for Sustainable Development (CDS) isthe national institution in charge of facilitating the project. TheBrazil team have selected the region of Novo Progresso in the Parastate to conduct the integrated assessment and findings will helpto understand the dynamics throughout the whole region ofinfluence, in which soybean production and mechanized agricul-ture is expanding. This project will lead to recommendations forimproving the Sustainable Plan for the BR163.Upcoming projectsA project in the Czech Republic, due to be launched in November,will conduct an integrated assessment of the NationalDevelopment Plan. It is led by the Czech Ministry of theEnvironment and is being facilitated by the RegionalEnvironmental Centre (REC). This project will help maximize thebenefits of the EU Structural Funds provided to the CzechRepublic, improve social inclusion and environmental manage-ment and help achieve sustainable development. The findings ofthe pilot project will be applicable not only to the Czech Republicbut also relevant to other new members of the European Union.An Expert Review Meeting to assess project developments andprovide guidance for the next steps is being convened on 29-30

November 2004. Projects in China, Kenya, Lebanon, and Tanzaniaare due to be launched in the coming months.

WTO Committee on Trade and Environment Meetings12-14 October 2004UNEP ETB attended both the Regular and Special (negotiating)Sessions of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment(CTE). Negotiations at the CTE Special Session (CTESS), held on12-13 October, continued to focus on the relationship betweenWTO rules and specific trade obligations in MEAs and the reduc-tion or elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers on environmen-tal goods and services. Discussions at the CTE Regular Session, held immediately follo-wing the CTESS, focused on a variety of issues related to trade andenvironment including the impact of environmental standards onmarket access, technical assistance and capacity building activities.Under the latter topic, UNEP briefed delegates on the activities ofthe joint UNEP-UNCTAD Capacity Building Task Force on Trade,Environment and Development (CBTF). In particular, UNEPhighlighted the recent training workshops organized by the CBTFin East Africa and Southeast Asia. The next CTE and CTESS mee-tings are scheduled to take place in February 2005.

This newsletter provides generalinformation only and does not represent the official views of the United Nations or anyof its specialized agencies. Readers arewelcome to reprint articles givingappropriate credit.

Published by theEconomics and Trade BranchDivision of Technology, Industry andEconomicsUnited Nations Environment Programme.

For free copies of this newsletter, please contact: etb@unep.ch

Economics and Trade BranchDivision of Technology, Industry and EconomicsUnited Nations Environment Programme11-13 chemin des Anémones1219 ChâtelaineSwitzerlandTel. +41 22 917 8298Fax +41 22 917 8076etb@unep.ch

URL: http://www.unep.ch/etu/

Issue No. 14

Analyzing the Resource Impact of Fisheries Subsidies: A Matrix Approach This publication builds on earlier work carried out by UNEP, whichdeveloped a matrix as an analytical framework for assessing theimpact of subsidies (see Fisheries Subsidies and Overfishing: Towards aStructured Discussion, 2003). Using this framework, the paper offersa detailed assessment of the impact of eight categories of subsidies,taking into account the specific characteristics of a fishery includingits level of exploitation and management regime. The matrix is desi-gned to serve as an analytical basis for designing new or improved disciplines on fisheriessubsidies with the goal of improving the health and productivity of fisheries resources.The results of the analysis show that most subsidies have the potential to be harmful tofish stocks under the management and bio-economic conditions found in the vastmajority of fisheries today. While most fisheries subsidies would theoretically not beharmful under truly effective management regimes, very few, if any fisheries today aresubject to management systems that are sufficiently effective to ensure that subsidieswill not harm fisheries resources.However, well-designed fisheries subsidies including government programmes for thereduction of fishing capacity and the improvement of fishing techniques, can contri-bute to the achievement of sustainable fisheries, provided that effective safeguards areput in place.

Incorporating Resource Impact into Fisheries Subsidies Disciplines: Issues and Options - A Discussion Paper This discussion paper considers the potential implications of the conclu-sions drawn in the “Matrix Paper” for an international reform of fishe-ries subsidies. With the aim of stimulating dialogue, it offers one view ofseveral possible options for incorporating the impact on resources intoexisting and new WTO disciplines on fisheries subsidies. To order these publications please contact etb@unep.ch or visitwww.unep.ch/etu/.

New publications:

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