Quick tips: Integrating the environment and climate change in private sector and trade cooperation

As spelled out in the Green Deal, the EU’s new growth strategy, the EU aims to achieve a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy where economic growth is decoupled from emissions, resource use and environmental degradation. By aiming to maintain the value of products, materials and resources for as long as possible, to reduce resource use, waste and greengouse gas emissions, and thus give back to the planet more than it takes, a low carbon, circular economy (CE) is at the heart of this ambition. The transition to a circular and carbon neutral economy is key to tackle the environment and climate crisis, as half of greenhouse gas emissions and more than 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress come from resource extraction and processing of materials, fuels and food. It is also key to growth and job creation, as greener models often deliver higher economic returns (e.g. by saving on material and other resource losses), as well as employment opportunities (e.g. by prioritising economic sectors with high job creation potential such as sustainable agriculture or waste management), while they also prove more resilient to shocks. The integration of environment and climate change into EU international cooperation on private sector development and trade should be seen in this context. This entails, in particular, greening businesses and value chains through engagement with the private sector - notably Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and through measures to improve the policy, regulatory and business environment, as well as support to trade in environmental goods and services, e.g. through standards development. This note provides quick practical tips to integrate environment and climate change across entire value chains and into private sector development and trade policies and cooperation.

Also read the associated document on Activities that qualify for Rio markers in private sector development and trade, or go to other sector-specific Quick Tips.

For further guidance on environment and climate change mainstreaming, please contact:

INTPA - NEAR Environment and Climate Change Mainstreaming Facility

E:  INTPA-GREENING-FACILITY@ec.europa.eu | NEAR-GREENING-FACILITY@ec.europa.eu