Under the first phase of the EC-funded Green Economy and Trade Opportunities Project (GE-TOP), UNEP launched the report, “Green Economy & Trade: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities” presenting six of the most promising sectors for Green Economy and Trade. On the basis of the empirical analysis presented in the report, UNEP is now undertaking the second phase of the GE-TOP, which looks at national-level GE-TOP projects in targeted green trade sectors in three pilot countries, namely Ghana, Peru and Viet Nam.
The objective of GE-TOP country projects is to assess and build capacity at a national and sectoral level on trade opportunities that arise from a green economy transition and to address related challenges. In Ghana, UNEP cooperates with The Energy Center to foster solar energy exports under the umbrella of the West African Power Pool (WAPP). In Peru, GE-TOP aims to foster sustainability certification in the Biotrade sector, with a view to enhancing global market access. In Viet Nam, UNEP is cooperating with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative to promote the uptake of and compliance with internationally-recognized aquaculture standards in order to enhance market access.
All national-level GE-TOP projects are carried out in close collaboration with national and international partners. They complement and support existing green economy initiatives and feed into the sustainable development strategies of partnering countries.