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Editorial: Trade issues come to the fore in time for Durban
As Durban arrives, many climate watchers find themselves filled with a sense of deja-vu. We’ve seen the well-timed release of emails hacked from climate scientists’ computers before. We’ve seen remarkably low expectations before. But with Washington’s reported blockage of the green climate fund – one of the key expected outcomes of the talks – only…
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Bridges Durban Update #1 | Trade issues in the spotlight on the eve of COP 17
One word can sum up the outlook for the Durban Conference of the Parties (COP) this year: uncertainty. But that may not be all bad. Last year’s meeting in Cancun, Mexico showed us all that sometimes low expectations may be the best way to get results at climate negotiations. Jump back a year further to…
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A response to Response Measures: Solving conflicts between trade and climate change policy
Response measures to climate change undertaken in one country can have an impact on the prospects for social and economic development of other countries. They are therefore addressed in the context of climate change negotiations, with a view to minimising the adverse effects. Response measures relate to international trade in two ways. First, climate change…
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Harnessing trade and markets for sustainable energy: The case for a Sustainable Energy Trade Agreement
A much faster and more effective scale-up of innovation, use and diffusion of non-fossil fuel energy technologies is an imperative of the international community. The challenge to de-carbonise production and economic activity comes at a time of rapid expansion in energy demand, and in a context in which half of the world’s population currently has…
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The Inclusion of Aviation in the EU ETS: Economic and Environmental Consequences
The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), which was launched in 2005, is one of Europe’s main policy instruments for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. The ETS currently covers all major land-based installations in the EU. From January 2012 onward, emissions from aircraft flying to and from EU airports will also be included in the scheme.…
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The Climate Technology Mechanism: Issues and challenges
The agreement to establish a new Technology Mechanism is one of the concrete outcomes of the Cancun climate change conference in December 2010 that requires a closer look. The main goal of the Mechanism is to enhance action for technology development and transfer, particularly to developing countries, in support of climate change mitigation and adaptation.…
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Understanding carbon leakage: Developing country trade vulnerabilities to EU climate policies
As the international community struggles to agree on a comprehensive, global effort to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, countries are increasingly moving forward unilaterally and in smaller groups. This will result in an exacerbated asymmetry of climate change mitigation measures and larger differences in costs of carbon around the world. Some observers say that by implementing…
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Select COP 17 Side Events
Tuesday 29th December 13:15-14:45, UNFCCC side event on “UNFCCC finance portal: New modules and GEF managed funds.” Room 2 18:30-20:00, International Civil Aviation Organisation side event on “Emissions from international transport: global actions for global industries.” Room 2 Wednesday 30th December 15:00-16:30, Practical Action and ACTS side event on “Balancing priorities,…
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Trade and Climate Change-Related Resources
FOSTERING LOW CARBON GROWTH: THE CASE FOR A SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRADE AGREEMENT. ICTSD Global Platform onClimate Change, Trade and Sustainable Energy, Issue Paper, November 2011. FACILITATING TRADE IN SERVICES COMPLEMENTARY TO CLIMATE-FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGIES. By Joy Aeree Kim. ICTSDProgramme on Trade and Environment, Environmental Goods and Services Series, Issue paper No.15, October 2011. FEED-IN TARIFFS…