International Programs
Environment, Trade and Finance
Both domestically and globally, protecting human health and the environment is essential to sustainable economic growth and development. EPA supports these goals by:
- working with domestic and international partners,
- providing technical analysis and capacity building assistance through knowledge-sharing and best practices, and
- supporting the dissemination and use of environment-friendly technologies and environmentally-supportive investments and financial instruments.
At the national level, EPA works with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on environmental issues related to trade policy, and with the U.S. Department of the Treasury on the potential environmental impacts of proposed multilateral development bank investments.
Internationally, EPA provides policy advice and technical expertise on trade and finance issues related to the environment through a wide range of international organizations including the World Trade Organization, 
, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, multilateral development banks such as the World Bank and the United Nations.
Trade News
Administrator Jackson (3rd from left), Commerce Secretary Bryson and other leaders at Technology Market Summit.
May 14: EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and Commerce Secretary John Bryson announced joint efforts to increase U.S. exports of environmental products and services. The two agencies will work together to couple EPA’s scientific, technical, and regulatory information with Commerce's export support infrastructure.
This fall, EPA and Commerce will launch a new web-based Environmental Technologies Exporters Portal to offer U.S. companies market research, scientific analysis, finance options, and other U.S. government support mechanisms. The agencies will also partner with environmental industry trade associations to highlight international market opportunities.
These efforts support the President’s National Export Initiative.
Learn more:
Trade
Global trade presents economic and policy opportunities and challenges. EPA works with domestic and international partners to address policy challenges, reduce the environmental impacts, and maximize the benefits of trade.
- EPA Role in the Trade Agreement Process
- North American Free Trade Agreement
- Trans-Pacific Partnership
- Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee
- Smartway
Finance
Investment has an important role to play in improving environmental protection at the international level. To support and strengthen this role, EPA works to shape environmental criteria for finance and investment decisions, foster investment in environmental infrastructure, and support rules that incorporate sound environmental stewardship in multilateral development banks and other international finance institutions.
Background Information on Environment, Trade and Finance
- Environment and Trade and Investment: provides historical background on efforts in the post-World War II era to promote and manage global economic development.
- U.S. Trade and Investment Policy Making Process: provides current information about the agencies and steps involved in developing and implementing trade and investment agreements.
- Environmental Reviews of Trade and Investment Agreements: provides information on the process by which reviews are conducted, drafted and completed.
- International Trade and Environment Organizations: provides links to many of the numerous organizations, both national and international, that work in cooperation with EPA to address aspects of trade and investment and the environment.
Contacts
For additional information on EPA's trade programs, contact:
Joe Ferrante
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of International and Tribal Affairs (2670R)
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
E-mail: ferrante.joe@epa.gov