Medio ambiente
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Conclusion
Climate change is having a damaging effect on people the environment and the economy globally. Major economic investment and ambitious policy actions will be required to steer the economy towards a sustainable low-carbon growth trajectory which is necessary to mitigate climate change and adapt to its disruptive and costly consequences. Thus both climate change and climate policies will have significant consequences for international trade and trade policies.
Trade policies for a renewable-powered future
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.
International cooperation for better quality and better trade
In today's globalized world economy QI systems cannot operate in isolation. Cross-border cooperation on QI can help governments achieve sustainable energy systems while helping companies along the solar PV value chain seize market opportunities and avoid unnecessary costs. International cooperation on QI takes different forms from mutual recognition and regulatory provisions in trade agreements to formal cooperation partnerships and regulatory harmonization. The most appropriate approaches in any given situation differ depending on the compatibility of regulatory environments and systems the sector type and degree of regulation already in place and the level of technical and institutional capacity of the countries involved among several other factors.
The solar photovoltaic industry and the Covid-19 pandemic
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.
Global value chains in the solar PV sector
Value creation along the solar PV supply chain involves a broad range of goods and services (Box 1). Some of these goods and services are supplied domestically but many others are traded across borders. This section provides an overview of global trade flows in selected goods along the solar PV value chain. Included in the analysis are machines to manufacture solar PV wafers cells modules and panels along with selected solar PV components such as PV generators inverters PV cells and where relevant the parts needed to produce some of these goods (see Appendix).
Trade and quality infrastructure
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).
Trading into a Bright Energy Future
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.
Buena Vista Social Corporate Responsibility Provisions in Regional Trade Agreements
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.
Introduction
This booklet by the Trade and Environment Division of the World Trade Organization (WTO) aims at improving understanding of the role of trade and trade rules with regards to environmental issues. It seeks to answer in easyto- understand terms some of the key questions of the trade and environment debate as they relate to the multilateral trading system. In this sense it is not an exhaustive analysis of the issues covered but rather an attempt to provide basic information and examples to answer some common questions raised about trade and the environment.
What is the role of the WTO in furthering members’ environmental policies?
The WTO advocates for rules-based trade not free-for-all trade. WTO rules by providing predictability and ensuring that protectionism is not introduced through the back door contribute to more effective and coherent environment-related trade policies.
Since WTO rules do not prevent environmental action, what do they say?
When it comes to the environment the basic thrust of WTO rules is that environmental objectives should not be used as an excuse to protect domestic producers.
What are the links between trade and the environment?
The world economy has changed profoundly over the past decades as there has been a sharp increase in population and a near tripling of average income since 1960. During this period our economies have become ever more integrated due to advances in communication and information technologies along with lower barriers to global trade and investment.
Can governments provide green support?
Since 2009 more than 5000 support measures for a host of environmental objectives have been notified to the WTO.
Do WTO commitments prevent governments from protecting the environment?
The first paragraph of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO Agreement) states that sustainable development and the protection of the environment are central objectives of the multilateral trading system.
Short Answers to Big Questions on the WTO and the Environment
This booklet by the Trade and Environment Division aims at improving understanding of the role of trade and trade rules with regards to environmental issues. It seeks to answer in easy-to-understand terms some of the key questions of the trade and environment debate as they relate to the multilateral trading system.
Trade Policies for a Circular Economy
From its initial focus on minimizing waste generation the circular economy has evolved into a broad-based approach to make resource use more sustainable. A big part of the appeal of a circular economy is the opportunities it creates not only for resource savings and better human health and environmental outcomes but also for trade and economic diversification.