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National climate change policies and WTO law: a case study of Germany's new policies

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  • DRÖGE, SUSANNE
  • TRABOLD, HARALD
  • BIERMANN, FRANK
  • BÖHM, FRÉDÉRIC
  • BROHM, RAINER

Abstract

This article analyses the relationship between national climate change policy instruments and WTO rules with particular emphasis on the case of Germany. Our main finding is that national policies whose aim is to reduce greenhouse gases can be brought into compliance with international trade law. Compliance can be achieved, first, through various methods of labelling electricity from renewable resources. Second, it can be achieved through trading systems for green certificates that respect basic WTO principles. Third, it can be achieved through energy taxes. To offset the competitive impacts of such taxes, border tax adjustments are a possibility. Although WTO law has not yet clearly defined the eligibility of border tax adjustments for energy taxes, the balance of evidence suggests that it would support such adjustments under certain circumstances. Fourth, compliance with WTO rules can be achieved through financial incentives to the producers of energy from renewable sources which are conferred in such a way that they do not pass through the hands of the government. Hence, climate change policies can even rely on ‘subsidies’ (in the economic sense) without getting into conflict with WTO rules. Fifth, when compliance cannot be achieved, national policies aiming at international environmental protection can claim an exception under GATT Article XX (b) or (g) if measures are not applied in an arbitrary or discriminatory manner. In addition, countries should further strive to find solutions to the global climate change problem in the Kyoto process.

Suggested Citation

  • Dröge, Susanne & Trabold, Harald & Biermann, Frank & Böhm, Frédéric & Brohm, Rainer, 2004. "National climate change policies and WTO law: a case study of Germany's new policies," World Trade Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(2), pages 161-187, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:wotrrv:v:3:y:2004:i:02:p:161-187_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Frank Biermann & Rainer Brohm, 2005. "Border Adjustments on Energy Taxes: A Possible Tool for European Policymakers in Implementing the Kyoto Protocol?," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 74(2), pages 249-258.
    2. Nitya Nanda & Ratnakar Adhikari & Puspa Sharma & Paras Kharel, 2012. "Trade and climate change : South Asian agenda at the UNFCCC and the WTO," Regional Economic Integration: Challenges for South Asia during turbulent times (Edited volume), in: Saman Kelegama (ed.), Regional Economic Integration : Challenges for South Asia during turbulent times (Edited volume), edition 1, volume 1, chapter 13, pages 227-251, South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment.
    3. Susanne Dröge & Claudia Kemfert, 2005. "Trade Policy to Control Climate Change: Does the Stick Beat the Carrot?," Vierteljahrshefte zur Wirtschaftsforschung / Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, DIW Berlin, German Institute for Economic Research, vol. 74(2), pages 235-248.
    4. Alexandra E. Cirone & Johannes Urpelainen, 2013. "Trade sanctions in international environmental policy: Deterring or encouraging free riding?," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 30(4), pages 309-334, September.

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