Journal of World Trade Studies
Vol 5 No 2 (2015): Journal of World Trade Studies

Climate change, labelling, international standards and the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement: Are they in (dis)harmony?

Michelle Ayu Chinta Kristy (Center for World Trade Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia)
Joachim Monkelbaan (University of Geneva, Switzerland)



Article Info

Publish Date
01 Nov 2015

Abstract

Climate change and trade are two separate realms that inevitably interact with each other. Trade, representing more than half of global GDP by some accounts, may play a pivotal role in efforts to combat climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The WTO Agreements were not specifically composed for climate change purposes. Labelling and international standards may be used as a trade tool whose application may influence consumer preferences and shift markets. In the context of climate change, labelling may effectively inform consumers about international standards and, in particular, the carbon footprint of products. In the context of WTO Agreements, labelling is governed by the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). This article investigates the compatibility of the TBT Agreement in governing labelling aimed at mitigating climate change and it elaborates tensions at the nexus between climate change and trade in the context of labelling. This article eventually argues that climate change, labelling, international standards and the TBT Agreement can be in harmony. Further arrangements, which will close more gaps in the relation between the TBT Agreement and measures aimed at combating climate change, are required to alleviate (possible) tensions in practice.

Copyrights © 2015






Journal Info

Abbrev

JWTS

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance Social Sciences

Description

Journal of World Trade Studies (JWTS) is a peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary, and open access journal that engages with issues surrounding global trade, covering its political-economic, legal, socio-cultural, as well as applied and technical aspects. JWTS provides an in-depth and thought-provoking ...