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International Environmental Agreement and Trade in Environmental Goods: The Case of Kyoto Protocol

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  • Trang My Tran

    (Monash University Malaysia)

Abstract

The Kyoto Protocol has received much criticism for its effectiveness as well as the spillover effect (i.e. carbon leakage and competitiveness loss). This paper provides the first evidence for the effect of the Kyoto Protocol on the bilateral trade in environmental goods, which can mitigate and prevent environmental damage. Using the generalized synthetic control method, I construct the counterfactual of trading pairs with Kyoto commitment and show that the export of environmental goods by Kyoto countries increases by 29–30% after the protocol enters into force. The paper further examines the top exporters (Germany and Japan) individually and also reports positive effects. Technology transfer induced by project-based mechanisms under the Kyoto Protocol, in particular Clean Development Mechanism, is found to be the potential driving force.

Suggested Citation

  • Trang My Tran, 2022. "International Environmental Agreement and Trade in Environmental Goods: The Case of Kyoto Protocol," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 83(2), pages 341-379, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:enreec:v:83:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s10640-021-00625-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10640-021-00625-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Environmental goods; Generalized synthetic control; Gravity model; International environmental agreement; Kyoto Protocol;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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