Trade and climate change: working through the conflicts and synergies

This chapter explores the relationship between trade policy and law and climate change policies at a high level, asking how these two policy spheres relate to one another, and how they should. It proposes a framework for identifying and assessing trade and climate change policy opportunities and conflicts. It first asks what we want to accomplish to address climate change, and in what ways trade policy and law might obstruct those objectives. Many climate policy options are not constrained by trade law, or can be revised so as to effectively achieve their goals in ways that are less trade restrictive. It then asks what real conflicts remain, for such conflicts do ultimately exist. Finally, it asks in what ways trade can go beyond just getting out of the way, to proactively lead in ways that help achieve climate change objectives.