Development and Society
Environment
Canada's Environmental Assessment Framework for Trade Negotiations
The Government of Canada with the help of provinces and territories, aboriginal groups, and representatives from academic, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector have developed the Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations. This exercise began in early 1999 in the lead up to the Seattle Ministerial when Canada undertook a commitment to assess the domestic environmental implications of a new round of trade negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO). In November 1999, as part of this commitment, Canada released a Retrospective Analysis of the 1994 Canadian Environmental Review of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. Following its release, work began on the environmental assessment framework for WTO negotiations. The approach was then broadened so that the framework could be applied to bilateral, regional or multilateral trade negotiations. This process is being coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).
Table of Contents
What is a strategic environmental assessment?
The approach laid out in the Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations is also more commonly known as a SEA. A SEA is a systematic process for evaluating the environmental consequences of policies, plans or program proposals. The overarching goal of a SEA is to integrate environmental considerations into decision-making from the earliest stages. The framework for conducting environmental assessments of trade negotiations will simply be referred to as the framework.
How is an environmental assessment of trade negotiations different from an environmental impact assessment?
The framework looks at the environmental implications of trade negotiations (policies) whereas environmental impact assessments (EIAs) examine the environmental implications of projects. The two processes are substantially different. Assessing the environmental implications of policies is considerably more complex than project assessments due to the increased uncertainly of outcomes and the influencing variables involved. This uncertainty is compounded by limitations on scientific data and constraints on the predictability of policy outcomes. Relatively speaking, environmental assessments of projects deal with site specific variables that are tangible and quantifiable.
Why is Canada conducting environmental assessments of trade negotiations?
Canada is committed to integrating sustainable development into its domestic
and foreign policy. Environmental assessments are an effective tool
for advancing sustainable development. Canada will conduct environmental
assessments of trade negotiations in keeping with the 1999
Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan
and Program Proposals that provides guidance to federal
departments to consider the environmental implications of new policies
such as trade negotiations. As a result, Canada has prepared a Framework
for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations.
Environmental assessments of trade negotiations can contribute to more open decision-making within the federal government by engaging representatives from other levels of government, the public, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations in this process. Environmental assessments can also improve overall policy coherence at the national level by providing decision-makers with the means to integrate environmental considerations into trade policy.
The two key objectives for conducting an environmental assessment of a trade agreement are:
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to assist Canadian negotiators integrate environmental considerations into the negotiating process by providing information on the environmental impacts of the proposed trade agreement; and
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to address public concerns by documenting how environmental factors are being considered in the course of trade negotiations.
How was Canada's Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations made?
Flowing from the 1994 Retrospective Analysis on the Uruguay Round, DFAIT broadened its environmental assessment to include not just WTO negotiations but other bilateral and multilateral negotiations as well. On September 9th 2000, the Minister for International Trade invited Canadians to comment on Canada's Draft Environmental Assessment Framework for Trade Negotiations. Notices were posted on the DFAIT's website and in the Canada Gazette. E-mail notifications were sent to over 100 individuals, industry associations and environmental groups and networks, including environmental electronic list-services and publications such as the Gallon Environmental newsletter. Regional meetings were also held in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and Halifax. The comments received represented the interests and concerns of provincial and territorial governments, aboriginal groups, non-governmental organizations, industry groups, academia and individuals. These comments were then compiled and considered in the development of the final framework.
What will the environmental assessments of trade negotiations consider?
The environmental assessment is applied on an agreement-by-agreement basis. The level and scope of analysis will be determined on an issue-by-issue basis within the potential agreement according to the significance of the likely environmental impacts.
While many environmental issues should be examined in the global context to be most completely understood, limited data and resources, sovereignty issues and practicality demand that the primary focus of such assessments, at this time, be on assessing the most likely and significant environmental impacts of trade negotiations in relation to the Canadian environment. Although the proposed framework calls for national assessments, transboundary, regional, and global environmental impacts will be considered if they have a direct impact on the Canadian environment.
Who will conduct the environmental assessment?
The environmental assessment will be carried out by the Environmental Assessment Committee for Trade Negotiations, comprising representatives from relevant federal government departments with respect to the particular agreement. As mentioned, the framework follows the 1999 Cabinet Directive that emphasizes the importance for departments to undertake self assessment of its programs, projects and proposals. To this end, DFAIT will fulfill a coordinating roll amongst all of the federal department in conducting and managing environmental assessments of trade negotiations.
Who will be consulted during the environmental assessment and how?
The integrity of the environmental assessment process depends on transparency and broad-based public participation. The environmental assessment process provides the opportunity for extensive consultations with the public through a number of different of venues. Official notices calling for public input will be announced in the Canada Gazette and/or the department's website. The public, non-governmental organizations, the business community and Aboriginal groups will also be actively engaged through established consultation lists and contacted by email or direct mailings.
Input from the provinces and territories will also be important to ensure that sectoral expertise and environmental regulations are identified and appropriate federal/provincial responsibilities are managed. The framework also will rely on the expertise provided by the Sectoral Advisory Group on International Trade (SAGITs) who will provide valuable guidance on the implementation and application of the framework. While the timing and scope of public participation will vary depending on the nature of the agreement to be assessed, numerous opportunities for public participation are included in the proposed framework
How will federal and provincial responsibilities be coordinated?
The formal venue for federal-provincial/territorial coordination during environmental assessments will be the existing federal-provincial-territorial trade committee (C-Trade Committee) network. It will be essential that C-Trade members inform and coordinate developments of the environmental assessment with the relevant provincial and territorial ministries (i.e., environment).
Are the results of the environmental assessment binding?
It is important to understand the framework will be used as a tool that assists negotiators in identifying the potential environmental impacts and benefits that might arise from potential trade agreement. An important component to this will be coordinating the analysis with provincial counterparts. The recommendations that flow from the environmental assessment are not binding and will again depend on active provincial input on identification of enhancement and mitigation options.
Are other countries conducting environmental assessments of their trade negotiations?
Canada is not alone in promoting the environmental assessment of new bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations. The United States, the European Union and a number of international non-government bodies are undertaking similar assessments.
Canada believes it would be useful for all members of the WTO to undertake environmental assessments of new negotiations to exchange information at the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment. Canada feels that members should also share their perspectives with respect to the criteria and indicators for environmental assessments and their findings regarding the possible environmental impacts (positive, neutral and negative) of the upcoming negotiations (for more info on this subject see Canadian Approach to Trade and Environment in the New WTO Round: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/discussion/envirn_pr-en.asp).
How can I get more information about Canada's Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations?
For more information on Canada's Framework for Conducting Environmental Assessments of Trade Negotiations visit: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/social-e.asp For examples of previous Canadian efforts to assess the environmental effects of trade agreements, consult www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/sustain/EnvironA/strategic/sea0299-e.asp You may also wish to contact us directly:
Environmental Services Division
International Trade Canada (ITCan)
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2
Tel: (613) 944-0631
Fax: (613) 944-0432
Email: aes@dfait-maeci.gc.ca
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