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House Version of US Climate Bill Strengthens Likelihood of Border Measures
The US climate bill, which will go the House of Representatives for a vote today, will include strengthened language on border measures. Efforts this week by the House Ways and Means Committee - the body with jurisdiction over legislation relating to tariffs, import trade, and trade negotiations - have adjusted the bill’s goals for international…
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Peru Overturns Land Laws in Wake of Violence
Two controversial laws that loosened development restrictions in Peru’s Amazon regions have been repealed after dozens were killed in clashes between indigenous protesters and police. Observers say the move could trigger a re-evaluation of the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (TPA), which entered into force on 1 February. Protests over the laws - which demonstrators say would…
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EU, US Target Chinese Export Restrictions
After months of speculation, the EU and the US on Tuesday launched a WTO case against Chinese export restrictions on a range of raw materials, saying that they intend to level the playing field for their domestic manufacturers. Beijing countered that the export curbs are justified on environmental grounds and that it intends to contest…
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New Issues Arise in EU-US Beef Trade Dispute
In May, the US and the EU struck a deal promising to end a long-standing feud over trade in beef. But that agreement came under fire last week, when several other beef-producing countries said that the deal would unfairly discriminate against their exports. Under the memorandum of understanding that Washington and Brussels agreed ‘in principle’ last…
- In Brief
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EU Member States Seek Solution for Biotech Crop Debate
Austria, with the support of several other EU states, tabled a proposal to change the way the bloc regulates the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops. The proposal aims to make minor amendments to EU Directive 18/2001, which would allow Member states to independently decide their position on the controversial issue, rather than the decision…
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Joint WTO-UNEP Report Details Linkages between Trade and Climate Change
A new report, jointly published by the WTO and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), offers policy makers and other stakeholders an in-depth analysis of the links between trade and climate change. Underscoring that most sectors of the global economy will be affected by climate change, the report indicates serious implications and opportunities within global trade. To…
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US Must Tackle Climate Change Now: Report
Americans are already feeling the effects of climate change and the country should take immediate action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, according to a new US federal government report. The study draws upon years of scientific research, as well as new data not available during previous national assessments reports, and warns actions taken today will dictate…
- Events
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Events
Coming up in the next six weeks (26 June - 7 August) 28-30 June, Marseille, France. FIFTH URBAN RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM - CITIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE: RESPONDING TO THE URGENT AGENDA. This symposium, supported by the World Bank, OECD, UN Habitat, UNFPA and other donors, will address the impacts of city and urban growth on climate change;…
- Resources
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Resources
FISHSUBSIDY.ORG. The Pew Environment Group and EU Transparency, June 2009. This web site, which presents detailed data on European fisheries subsidies paid between 1994 and 2006, launched this week to provide decision makers and the public a detailed view on how and where EU fishing subsidies have been spent. Drawing upon data from the European…