South-south and triangular cooperation - UNEP

In response to UN Environment Governing Council decision 24/12 of February 2007, UN Environment adopted a broad strategic approach that focuses on conducting internal and external consultations to advance the integration of South-South cooperation (SSC) arrangements in the UN Environment programs of work, developing a policy guidance and operational guidelines as well as establishing strategic partnerships in support of UN Environment’s capacity building and technology support activities. This strategic approach focuses, in particular, on the development of a UN Environment SSC exchange mechanism to facilitate easy access to and delivery of expertise, technology, experiences, training opportunities, advisory services, methodologies and tools in support of UN Environment’s capacity building initiatives.

To assess the contribution trade can make the transition to a green economy, UN Environment undertook a study on the trends and opportunities for trade among developing countries in selected environmental goods. The study focuses on South-South trade flows in several Renewable Energy products and their components, including solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules, wind turbines, hydroelectric turbines, biomass feedstock, solar water heaters and solar lighting equipment, as well as other select environmental goods. The latter include water filtering and purification equipment and environmentally preferable products, such as organic agricultural goods. The final report, South-South Trade in Renewable Energy: A Trade Flow Analysis of Selected Environmental Goods, identifies key growth markets for the trade in environmental goods and services (EGS). It calls for increased South-South trade cooperation – with a focus on more low-cost environmental goods, establishing favorable trade policies and agreements, and developing a skilled energy labor force – to significantly increase South-South trade in EGS, and accelerate the green economy transition.