At the UNFCCC, discussions about regulation of emissions from the international transport sector—air and marine—could have crucial implications for developing countries in terms of trade and development prospects. Defining regulatory approaches that effectively control emissions from international transportation without undermining the export potential of developing countries requires careful thinking and active participation by countries in the negotiations on climate change.
To promote open dialogue about regulation of emissions from the international transport sector, carbon accounting and labelling initiatives, and their impact on global trade and our shared atmosphere—and particularly on the implications for developing countries—ICTSD’s Global Platform on Climate Change, Trade, and Sustainable Energy (the Global Platform) has planned a series of studies and stakeholder meetings.
This dialogue process will engage the OECD countries on developing-country concerns with regard to potential trade and development effects of regulating bunker fuels and emissions from air and marine transport (e.g., by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the International Maritime Organisation)and in complying with carbon-related standards and labels. Dialogue on this subject will be organised at the UNFCCC meetings and during the meetings of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.
This work seeks to single out two sets of issues of critical importance to developing countries: adaptation in their trade-exposed sectors (agriculture and tourism) and the key question of technology transfer, innovation, Aid for Trade, and the UNFCCC agenda on financing. It responds in a tailored manner to the issues of small and large developing countries to foster constructive engagement in climate change negotiations.
In sum, the Global Platform enhances understanding of trade and development concerns in the review of regulation of greenhouse gas emissions in the international transport sector.
Research and Analysis:
Bunker Fuel Regulation: Impact on the Trade of Developing Countries (forthcoming)
Policy Dialogues:
Side event at the UN Commission for Sustainable Development, May 2010, New York, USA
Expert meeting on Bunker Fuels, April 2010, Geneva, Switzerland
Roundtable on “Bunker Fuels: On Course or in the Air?“, at the ICTSD Trade and Climate Change Day alongside the UNFCCC COP 15 negotiations, 15 December 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark