Climate Change and the Trading System

Conference Report, Canadian International Council, Toronto, October 26-27, 2009

8 Pages Posted: 12 Jan 2010

See all articles by Dan Ciuriak

Dan Ciuriak

Ciuriak Consulting Inc.; Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI); C.D. Howe Institute; Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada; BKP Development Research & Consulting GmbH

Date Written: October 26-27, 2009

Abstract

As the global community moves to forge a new climate change agreement, complex questions arise concerning the implications for the international trading system. This was the topic of a meeting in Toronto on October 26 and 27, 2009 that brought together experts from the two communities – trade policy and climate change. The discussion focussed on border carbon adjustments, on the implications of free carbon emission allowances for particular industries in cap-and-trade systems, which may run afoul of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on subsidies, and more generally on issues relating to subsidies. Given the present uncertainties about how these features of climate change action may evolve, the group recognized the risk of mounting pressures on the WTO dispute settlement system and indeed the possibility of a ‘train wreck’ in the WTO. Accordingly, ways need to be found to avert the dangers so that the two important objectives can be met – dealing with climate change while preserving a sound trading system.

Keywords: climate change, UNFCCC, WTO, dispute settlement, border carbon adjustments

JEL Classification: F13

Suggested Citation

Ciuriak, Dan, Climate Change and the Trading System (October 26-27, 2009). Conference Report, Canadian International Council, Toronto, October 26-27, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1534354 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1534354

Dan Ciuriak (Contact Author)

Ciuriak Consulting Inc. ( email )

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Canada

Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) ( email )

57 Erb Street West
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 6C2
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C.D. Howe Institute ( email )

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Toronto, Ontario M5E 1J8
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Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada ( email )

Canada

HOME PAGE: http://ciuriakconsulting.com/

BKP Development Research & Consulting GmbH ( email )

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