WTO Public Forum 2023 - Environmentally Sustainable Ecommerce and Development

The expansion of retail, from bricks-and-mortar stores to e-commerce has become a defining feature of the modern economy. Notwithstanding the potential economic and social benefits, for e-commerce to make a real contribution to sustainable development, it is essential to understand its nexus with the environment and wider development implications.

Ensuring that e-commerce is more environmentally sustainable is attracting growing attention, given the potential of sustainable shopping to lower greenhouse gas emissions and advance environmental abatement efforts.

This issue is important for developing countries and LDCs that are disproportionately impacted by climate change. Women, who are more likely to suffer the impacts of environmental degradation, also play a powerful role as implementers of solutions to make e-commerce more environmentally sustainable.

Through the sharing of good practices, policy experiences and business solutions, this session will demonstrate how countries can advance environmentally sustainable e-commerce that contributes to inclusive economies and serves climate goals.
 

Speakers:

• Shamika Sirimanne, Director, Division on Technology and Logistics, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
   
• Christian Bilfinger, Senior Policy Officer, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
   
• François Martins, Director of Sustainability , Mercado Libre
   
• Nicolas Palau, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Colombia to the World Trade Organization
   
• Yasmin Ismail, Programme Officer, CUTS International, Geneva (Moderator)

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