Climate Change and Global Trade

Photo: Flint DuxfieldClimate change is the issue of our generation. As governments develop their responses to the climate crisis what role will international trade play in what is decided. What role will government subsidies play? Can we encourage people to buy less carbon intensive products by applying tariffs? Will we see intellectual property rules restrict the production of desperately needed environmentally friendly technologies?

AFTINET has been working on examining the relationship between the World Trade Organisation's rules on trade and what governments are and aren't permitted to do in response to climate change. There is currently great uncertainty surrounding what is and isn't permissible for governments to do in response to climate change. Whilst there is an exception in the WTO for environmental protection, given the history of such an exception not being accepted, there are great concerns that that trend may apply to climate change measures.

To find out more download AFTINET's "The Wrong Climate for Free Trade?" leaflet on WTO rules and climate change.

AFTINET will continue to work on the area of climate change and global trade rules.