Bridges Weekly Trade News Digest • Volume 11 • Number 34 • 10th October 2007
Resources
AN EXAMINATION OF U.S. AND E.U. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO BIOFUELS: EARLY LESSONS. International Food & Agricultural Trade Policy Council, 2007. The U.S. and the EU are presently considering signifcant increases in their biofuels mandates in transportation fuel. However, without commercially viable second-generation biofuels, ambitious mandates coupled with high tariffs risk a disproportionate focus on U.S. and EU first-generation biofuels, regardless of their ability to address environmental and energy concerns. The absence of technical and sustainablility standards as well as the lack of clarity about international trade obligations may increase this tendency. The brief suggests that the U.S. and the EU should adopt policies that serve to promote biomass uses that are the most energy efficient and that show the greatest promise for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of the feedstock’s national origin. The brief is available at: http://www.agritrade.org/Publications/EU_US_Biofuels.html.
WORLD INVESTMENT REPORT 2007. By UN Conference on Trade and Development, 16 October 2007. Transnational corporations in extractive industries will be the topic of the 2007 World Investment Report. The role of transnational corporations (TNCs) in extractive industries is attracting renewed attention, partly as a result of rising commodity prices and increased demand from emerging economies. This year, the World Investment Report will examine TNCs activities in extractive industries and their development implications, and will explore policy options aimed at ensuring tangible and long-term gains for growth and development in developing countries. Internet: http://www.unctad.org/Templates/Meeting.asp?intItemID=2068&lang=1&m=13600&year=2007&month=10
BIORES TRADE & ENVIRONMENT REVIEW. By the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development, October 2007. This is the launch issue of a new publication focused on the relationship between trade and environment. Meant to accompany the biweekly electronic publication BRIDGES Trade BioRes, the BioRes Review delves more deeply into the issues, providing background and technical knowledge on trade and environment issues, for both knowledgeable and new readers. This issue features articles on energy, trade policy, and climate change, as well as sustainable land management, biotechnology, and animal diversity concerns. Internet: http://www.ictsd.org/cyberlaunch/biores-web.pdf
SOUTH BULLETIN: REFLECTIONS AND FORESIGHTS. By South Centre, October 2007. This is the inaugural issue of this publication. It has a new look and a new format that puts greater emphasis on sharing knowledge that matters for the South. This is an outcome of ideas shared by several colleagues, including officials from South Centre member countries in Geneva, New York, Brussels and in national capitals who would like the Bulletin to be interactive. The new Bulletin will enable cross-sharing of experiences and fulfill specific knowledge needs on current and emerging issues in which developing countries are stakeholders. Internet: http://www.southcentre.org/southbulletin/1-1-oct-07.pdf.