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Purpose and Outcomes
Recognising the importance of trade in environmental goods as a means to support our transition to a green and sustainable economy, Singapore and Australia have mutually decided on a non-exhaustive list of Environmental Goods (EGL).
The EGL consists of environmental goods which will inter alia, contribute to and enable the:
- reduction, mitigation and remediation of the pollution of the air, waterways and the land;
- protection of natural resources and biodiversity;
- mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions such as through a transition to the use of renewable and sustainable energy sources and technologies;
- efficient and sustainable use and production, reuse or recycling of resources;
- reduction in the negative effects on human health and the environment;
- effective identification, measurement, accounting and monitoring of the environment in support of its protection and remediation; and
- sustainability and resilience of food systems, including agricultural practices.
Recognising that the EGL is non-exhaustive, we acknowledge that (a) products with a high recycled content and (b) remanufactured and refurbished products can be considered environmental goods as they contribute to the environmental objectives mentioned above. Supply chain traceability, alignment on standards, certification and product stewardship support confidence in the integrity and environmental credibility of these goods.
The EGL will be subject to periodic review, within two years of the conclusion of the GEA or as mutually determined by Singapore and Australia, to enable further industry consultations and to account for technical and technological advances and for new environmental goods to be added. We will promote the EGL in regional and multilateral fora and cooperate in regional and multilateral organisations to review and update the EGL, where appropriate.
The EGL is attached to this Annex.
Description
Acknowledging the potential for trade in environmental goods to contribute to addressing global environmental challenges and promote green growth, Singapore and Australia have mutually determined the EGL to:
- signify the importance of environmental goods in supporting the transition to sustainable economic green growth;
- promote and facilitate trade and investment flows in environmental goods and the green economy more broadly;
- assist in identifying and addressing current and emerging non-tariff barriers in these goods;
- support alignment and cooperation on standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures in these goods; and
- measure and analyse the contribution these goods make to the economy.
Specific Elements
Singapore and Australia recognise that alignment and cooperation on standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, certification and product stewardship approaches will have an important role in the development and promotion of the global trade in environmental goods.
To this end, we will explore opportunities to share approaches to the development of these enabling mechanisms, together with our respective stakeholders which have a central role in the development, adoption and implementation of such programs.
Singapore and Australia acknowledge global efforts to promote the trade, adoption and identification of environmental goods, including existing initiatives at international platforms such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), World Customs Organization (WCO), and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). We commit to continuing our close cooperation to promote the facilitation of trade in environmental goods including at these international platforms as well as in regional trade agreements to which both countries are party.
Review Process
Recognising the rapid pace of advancement in environmental technologies and the evolving understanding of the environmental impacts arising from process and production methods, the EGL will be jointly reviewed on a mutually determined basis to reflect, among other things, new goods and technologies as well as process and production methods. This will also enable us to take into account any future stakeholder consultations that might take place.
Such a review could include:
- assessing goods which may be added to the EGL, including those identified by stakeholders;
- clarifying the environmental aspects of goods on the EGL;
- further work to explore sustainable foods and other sustainably-sourced critical minerals; and
- identifying priorities for cooperation under the Specific Elements of this Annex with respect to particular goods or groupings of goods on the EGL.
Outcomes from the review process will be reported through the governance and implementation structure identified in the GEA.
Project Leads
Singapore
Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Consultation with other relevant government agencies.
Australia
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Consultation with other relevant government agencies.