EU Commission unveils new approach to trade agreements to promote green and equitable growth

The European Commission has unveiled a new plan to improve the contribution of EU trade agreements to protecting the climate, the environment and workers' rights worldwide. In its Communication "The Power of Trade Partnerships: Working together for green and equitable economic growth", the Commission proposes how to further strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the trade and sustainable development chapters in EU trade agreements. The Communication identifies policy priorities and key action points that will further enhance the effectiveness of the current commitment-based approach to sustainable development, based on the international framework and standards, through stronger implementation and enforcement. In particular, the new approach will include the use of trade sanctions for violations of key TSD provisions. It will be applied in future negotiations and, where appropriate, in ongoing negotiations.

Further information can be found here.