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Fariborz Zelli

Fariborz Zelli

Professor | Principal Investigator BECC

Fariborz Zelli

Interplay between Climate and Development Policies: Challenges for Developing Countries

Author

  • Harro van Asselt
  • Fariborz Zelli

Editor

  • Sunjoy Joshi
  • Marlies Linke

Summary, in English

Current human-induced climate variability is linked to past economic patterns that are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions. If climate change is to be effectively addressed, solutions thereof will necessarily affect global economy. International trade has become one of the pillars of the global economic system. In this light an overlap of climate change policies and the multilateral trading system administered by the World Trade Organization (WTO) is inevitable. International trade affects climate change, as it potentially increases economic activities that may in turn lead to increased greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, taking measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions might adversely affect competitiveness and hence reduce countries’ willingness to participate in such measures. This paper first provides a short overview of three key issues of overlap in the climate and trade regimes such as flexibility mechanisms; trade-related policies and measures and; the transfer of climate-friendly goods, services and technologies. After this general discussion, the paper analyses in more detail the recent debates on climate-related trade measures in both the United States and the European Union and discusses their effectiveness, legality, implications for developing countries and effects on the climate change negotiations. The paper concludes with a discussion of options to address the interplay between the climate and trade regimes with respect to border adjustment measures.

Department/s

  • Department of Political Science

Publishing year

2011

Language

English

Pages

91-114

Publication/Series

Sustainable Development and Climate Change

Document type

Book chapter

Publisher

Academic Foundation

Topic

  • Political Science

Keywords

  • climate governance
  • climate change
  • development
  • sustainable development
  • interplay
  • fragmentation
  • UNFCCC
  • Kyoto protocol
  • WTO

Status

Published

Research group

  • Miljöpolitik