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Environmental Tariffs: Will They Be Captured by Protectionists?

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  • Kerr, William A.

Abstract

Environmental tariffs appear to be a politically necessary part of the climate change policies that are emerging in many countries. The appeal of level playing field arguments is seductive and difficult to dispute. Environmental policy makers, however, may be naïve, because they fail to account for the potential of trade policy mechanisms and institutions to be captured by traditional vested interests seeking economic protection. The exact structures and institutional frameworks for environmental tariffs are often left vague by environmental policy makers, making them easy targets for protectionists. Environmental tariffs appear to be particularly vulnerable to capture given the complexity of production and the embryonic stage of the science of measuring carbon intensity. The article outlines the threats to the international trading system posed by environmental tariffs and suggests cooperation between those responsible for developing environmental policy and those responsible for developing trade policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerr, William A., 2010. "Environmental Tariffs: Will They Be Captured by Protectionists?," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 11(2), pages 1-13, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:ecjilt:91789
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.91789
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brian R. Copeland & M. Scott Taylor, 2004. "Trade, Growth, and the Environment," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 42(1), pages 7-71, March.
    2. Kerr, William A., 2004. "Homeland Security and the Rules of International Trade," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 5(01), pages 1-10.
    3. Samira Bakhshi & William A. Kerr, 2008. "Incorporating labour standards in trade agreements: protectionist ploy or legitimate trade policy issue?," International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 1(4), pages 373-391.
    4. William A. Kerr & James D. Gaisford (ed.), 2007. "Handbook on International Trade Policy," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 3521.
    5. Gaisford, James D., 2010. "From Kyoto to Copenhagen: Meeting the Climate Change Challenge," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 11(01), pages 1-15, May.
    6. William A. Kerr, 2006. "Dumping: Trade Policy in Need of a Theoretical Make Over," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 54(1), pages 11-31, March.
    7. Hobbs, A. L. & Hobbs, J. E. & Isaac, G. E. & Kerr, W. A., 2002. "Ethics, domestic food policy and trade law: assessing the EU animal welfare proposal to the WTO," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 27(5-6), pages 437-454.
    8. Sheldon, Ian M., 2010. "Climate Policy and Border Tax Adjustments: Some New Wine Mixed with Old Wine in New Green Bottles?," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 11(01), pages 1-27, May.
    9. Kareen L. Holtby & William A. Kerr & Jill E. Hobbs, 2007. "International Environmental Liability and Barriers to Trade," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 12610.
    10. Gaisford, James D., 2010. "From Kyoto to Copenhagen: Meeting the Climate Change Challenge," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 11(01), pages 1-11, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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