Transcript Presentation - Institute for Environmental Security

Division of Technology, Industry,
and Economics
Economics and Trade Branch
The Way Forward
Benjamin Simmons
UNEP
The Perfect Storm
Trade, Finance and Climate in 2009
15 September 2008
Key Themes in Debate
Competitiveness
Carbon leakage
Equity
Economic development
“The Parties should protect the climate system
for the benefit of present and future generations
of humankind, on the basis of equity and in
accordance with their common but
differentiated responsibilities and respective
capabilities. Accordingly, the developed country
Parties should take the lead in combating
climate change and the adverse effects
thereof.”
-UNFCCC, Article 3.1
Principal issues discussed
Border measures
Technology transfer
Standards and labelling
Energy subsidies
But, agriculture and services arguably most
important
Future energy trends
Way forward revisited
1. What opportunities exist in
the Doha negotiations?
2. What about post-Doha?
CAUTION! IS THE WTO THE BEST FORUM?
“. . . the relationship between international trade, the
WTO, and climate change, would be best defined by a
consensual international accord on climate change.
One that successfully embraces all major emitters. In
other words, until a truly global consensus emerges on
how best to tackle the issue of climate change, WTO
Members will continue to hold different views on what
the multilateral trading system can and must do.”
-Pascal Lamy
Current opportunity
Agreement on Subsidies and
Countervailing Measures
Full Notification of Energy
Subsidies
Potential Doha opportunities
1. Para. 31(i) – WTO/MEA relationship
2. Para. 31(iii) – environmental
goods and services liberalization
3. Para. 51 – sustainable development
Potential post-Doha opportunities
1. Energy subsidies
2. IPR flexibility
3. Conformity of standards/labelling
4. Border adjustment
5. Assessment
Division of Technology, Industry,
and Economics
Economics and Trade Branch
THANK YOU!
UNEP
Economics and Trade Branch
www.unep.ch/etb