Environment

Open and transparent trade policies implemented over several decades have resulted in lower barriers to goods and services trade including goods and services related to renewable energies in general and solar PV in particular. More open and transparent trade regimes have enabled the emergence of a globally integrated solar PV market where silicon wafers cells modules inverters mounting systems combiner boxes and other solar PV components along with the machines to manufacture PV cells modules and panels are routinely traded back and forth among countries along tightly integrated value chains. Additional policy efforts to reduce remaining trade barriers and facilitate trade could further enhance solar PV supply chains reduce costs and accelerate the dissemination of solar PV and other renewable energies to where they are needed.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the most acute health crisis in generations and has sent shockwaves across economies worldwide. Renewable energies can play a dual role in helping the world to recover. First they can strengthen healthcare and other critical public infrastructures. Second when integrated into response plans and strategies to “build back better” (i.e. rebuild economies in light of the numerous problems which arose as a result of the pandemic) renewable energies can help mitigate the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by supporting economic recovery boosting job creation fostering access to electricity and economic diversification and putting the world on a climate-safe path.

Trade in solar PV goods and services can only help to build a competitive solar energy sector if the goods and services in question meet customer requirements and are otherwise fit for the purpose for which they are intended. Underperforming unreliable and failing products create barriers to the development and enhancement of solar PV and hamper the role of trade in promoting the technology's rapid diffusion across borders. A wellfunctioning QI system is a key tool to keep deficient sub-standard quality products from entering the supply chain and to build a competitive solar PV sector that delivers economic social and environmental benefits (IRENA 2017a).

Open global trade supported by a well-functioning “quality infrastructure” has been an important factor in the rapid deployment of solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies around the world. Keeping markets open is critically important to ensure that all countries can benefit from solar PV a pillar of the low-carbon sustainable energy system needed to help achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and fulfil the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This report by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) looks at how open transparent and inclusive trade policies can support cost reductions deployment of components and job creation in the solar PV sector strengthening the critical infrastructure needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and supporting efforts to rebuild the world economy. The report examines the need for countries to develop a robust quality infrastructure to promote safe trade in solar PV goods and services. This would reduce the risks of unreliable products entering the value chain and ensure stability for investors and other participants in the value chain. The report also looks at the need to strengthen international cooperation and demonstrates how IRENA and the WTO can support efforts to promote a secure and inclusive global solar PV market through the effective use of quality infrastructure.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an integral part of many companies' business strategy. A detailed analysis of 579 RTAs including 305 agreements currently in force and notified to the WTO (as of December 2020) reveals that a limited but increasing number of RTAs namely 65 agreements refer explicitly to CSR. These CSR-related provisions are particularly heterogeneous in terms of location in the RTA language scope and commitments.

Este folleto elaborado por la División de Comercio y Medio Ambiente de la Organización Mundial del Comercio (OMC) tiene por objeto mejorar la comprensión de la función del comercio y de las normas comerciales en lo que respecta a las cuestiones ambientales. En él se trata de responder en términos de fácil comprensión a algunas de las preguntas fundamentales del debate sobre el comercio y el medio ambiente en relación con el sistema multilateral de comercio. En este sentido no constituye un análisis exhaustivo de las cuestiones tratadas sino un intento de facilitar información básica y ejemplos para responder a algunas preguntas frecuentes sobre el comercio y el medio ambiente.

La présente brochure préparée par la Division du commerce et de l’environnement de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) vise à améliorer la compréhension du rôle du commerce et des règles commerciales s’agissant des questions environnementales. L’objectif est de répondre dans des termes simples à certaines des grandes questions du débat sur le commerce et l’environnement qui ont trait au système commercial multilatéral. Ainsi il ne s’agit pas de réaliser une analyse exhaustive des questions visées mais plutôt d’essayer de fournir des renseignements fondamentaux et des exemples pour répondre à certaines questions fréquemment soulevées concernant le commerce et l’environnement.