In a world of increased protectionist taunting, the EU remains committed to an open economy and  enabling ever freer trade across the globe. Hereby, the European Commission’s ‘Trade for all’ communication highlights the EU’s commitment to guarantee that increased trade does not compromise on sustainability.  

Negotiations for potential Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Australia and New Zealand were authorized by the European Council last year. Trinomics, together with Trade Impact, BKP Economic Advisors, and Global Sustainability Futures will support the EU negotiators with the implementation of Sustainability Impact Assessments (SIAs) on both FTAs during the ongoing negotiations.  

In the team, Trinomics takes responsibility for assessing the environmental impacts of the FTAs. This means that we will study what impact a lowering of trade barriers will have on non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, land use & soil quality, water quality & quantity, waste & waste management, and biodiversity & ecosystems using both quantitative and qualitative research techniques.  Guided by our findings, we will then advise the negotiators on how to: (i) best minimize the negative potential environmental impacts; and (ii) strengthen the expected positive environmental impacts before the FTAs are fully negotiated and signed.  

You can follow progress of the ongoing negotiations here.

For questions concerning our work on this SIA, please contact Jurgen Vermeulen or read the project description.