Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest • Volume 7 • Number 13 • 10th April 2003
Resources
STOCK-TAKE OF THE WTO AGRICUTURE NEGOTIATIONS - IMPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. By Tim Ruffer and Alan Swinbank, Oxford Policy Management, 2003. In this report, the authors examine the progress of agriculture negotiations set forth in the Doha Round, and proposals from the view of the developing world. It also analyses the Harbinson Draft on agriculture modalities and its ability to bridge the gaps and lead to an agreement. For a copy of this report, please go to: http://www.opml.co.uk/docs/ACF71D6.pdf.
"Increasing the Openness of the Trade Policy Process: Challenges and Implications", by Grant Isaac in THE ESTEY CENTRE JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND TRADE POLICY 4 (1, 2003). Trade policy is now a central concern on the public policy agenda as trade issues have become increasingly entwined with traditionally domestic policy issues. Consequently, demands have been made for more openness in trade policy formation and, in response, many governments have undertaken openness initiatives. In this paper, the general issue of increasing the openness of trade policy is examined, an openness framework is proposed and the implications for trade policy are assessed. Available at http://128.233.58.173/estey/.
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AVIATION. Edited by Callum Thomas, David Raper, Paul Upham and Janet Maughan. This collection of papers focuses on environmental consequences of air transportation, diagnosing current problems such as air and noise pollution and pointing toward their possible solutions. For more information, please visit: http://www.earthscan.co.uk/asp/bookdetails.asp?key=3892.
"The EU as a frontrunner on greenhouse gas emissions trading: how did it happen and will the EU succeed?" By Atle Christiansen and Jorgen Wettestad in CLIMATE POLICY 3 (1, 2003). In the 1990’s, when emissions trading was first internationally negotiated, the EU was very sceptical about implementing such a system. On 23 October 2001 however, the European Commission proposed a directive for a mandatory EU-wide emissions trading scheme that would begin in 2005. This article discusses the design and the future of the Commission’s plan and the reasons for the turnaround in the EU’s stance on emissions trading.
"The EU emissions trading scheme (ETS): how linked to JI/CDM?" By Catrinus Jepma in CLIMATE POLICY 3 (1, 2003). In this paper, the author points out the weaknesses that exist in the EU’s emissions trading scheme such as: the fact that there is no collaboration with national climate policies in the Member States, the possibility of the distortion of intra-EU competition resulting from the allocation of allowances, and the lack of a clear and concise plan for the future of the scheme. The paper then focuses on the lack of compatibility between the scheme and the other flexibility instruments of the Kyoto Protocol - namely joint implementation and the clean development mechanism.
"Prices versus quantities: choosing policies for promoting the development of renewable energy." By Philippe Menanteau, Dominique Finon and Marie-Laure Lamy, in ENERGY POLICY 31 (8, 2003). In this article the authors examine the relative efficiency of the alternative incentive schemes for the objective of moving towards renewable energy sources. Such schemes may fall under two categories: quantity based approaches - such as those defining national targets, establishing bidding systems, or setting up quota systems and green certificate trading, or price based approaches - such as a feed-in tariff. This article looks specifically at the comparison criterion of adoption conditions of the two approaches, such as cost curves and learning effects.