SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE WTO DOHA AGENDA Clive George Impact Assessment Research Centre Institute for Development Policy and Management School of Environment and Development, University of Manchester Programme sponsored by the European Commission Team leader: Colin Kirkpatrick WTO Public Forum, Geneva, 25-26th September 2006

n direct economic impact – small, for all countries n indirect economic impact – potentially large and positive (particularly for developing countries), dependent on other policy measures and details of trade agreement n social impacts – adverse adjustment effects (potentially large for many developing countries) n environmental impacts – mixed. Adverse overall impact on biodiversity and climate change Conclusion n to achieve potential benefits and avoid significant adverse impacts, changes in decision-making mechanisms are needed Report: Principal impacts of the Doha agenda

1.single country impact assessments in developing countries 2.integrated assessment of impacts in all countries, sponsored by international community Potential future use of impact assessment techniques in making trade more supportive of sustainable development Report: