UNEP-UNCTAD Capacity Building Task Force on Trade Environment and Development (UNEP-UNCTAD CBTF)

Launched in 2000, the UNEP-UNCTAD Capacity Building Task Force on Trade, Environment and Development (CBTF) combines UNEP’s expertise on the environmental aspects of trade and UNCTAD’s expertise on the developmental aspects of trade to build capacities of countries to effectively address issues at the interface of trade, environment and development. So far, more than 1000 policymakers, negotiators and private sector executives, from over 70 countries, have benefited from capacity building events and country projects that the CBTF has organised. To respond to the expressed needs of the countries, the CBTF now offers the first ever online course on Successful Organic Production and Export.

Organic agriculture was selected by the CBTF as a priority area for its activities as, in addition to economic and trade benefits, it offers a range of environmental and social benefits. Organic farming contributes to mitigating climate change by sequestering more carbon by consuming 20 to 100 per cent less energy, and by emitting 48 to 60 per cent less CO2 per hectare as compared to conventional farming. In many countries, conversion to organic has shown to increase overall farm yield and profits. On small farms yield have increased by up to 180 percent. In addition, high price premium are available on organic products. For example, in 2008, Ugandan farmers earned up to 200 per cent more on their organic ginger compared to ginger conventionally produced. Developing countries in particular enjoy a comparative advantage in OA. The availability of labour and lower use of agrochemicals makes it relatively less cumbersome to set up an organic production and export business.