Synopses & Reviews
This book synthesises several studies on the potential global impacts of two fundamental international policy initiatives: (i) multilateral agreements on climate protection strategies and (ii) trade agreements towards global trade liberalisation. Although these initiatives are not directly linked, they interrelate in subtle, yet important ways. Based on theoretical analyses and numerical simulations, the book provides guidelines on efficient strategies for climate change mitigation, implementing the framework of the Kyoto Protocol and the provided flexibility instruments, hereby accounting for interrelationships with existing and possible trade agreements on various levels. The analyses incorporate important real-world features, such as imperfect market structures, trade liberalisation settings, risk or transaction costs, that may substantially influence the magnitude and even the sign of policy impacts.
Synopsis
This book contains a synthesis of the results of the project "Climate Change Policy and Global Trade" financed by the European Commission under the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development programme within the Fifth Framework Programme (Contract N EVK2-CT-2000-00093). The project aimed at providing quantitative insights into the impacts of two important international policy initiatives: (i) multilateral agreements on climate protection strategies, and (ii) trade agreements towards global trade liberalisation. Research in this project involved several institutions: Zentrum fur Europaische Wirtschaftsforschung, Mannheim (ZEW - Centre for European Economic Research, coordinator), ICCS of National Technical University of Athens (ICCSINTUA), Tinbergen Institute, Erasmus University Rotterdam (TI), Middlesex University Business School, London (MUBS), University of Rostock (UROS), and Metroeconomica Limited, Bath (MET). Nikolaos Christoforides (European Commission, DG Research) supervised the project and provided valuable input. We would like to thank him as well as Pierre Valette (DG Research) and Katri Kosonen (DG Taxation) for their helpful comments. The views expressed in this volume are those of the authors and do neither reflect the opinion ofthe Conunission nor ofits officials. Weare obliged to Frauke Eckermann for diligent and dedicative management assistance throughout the project. Furthermore, we would like to thank Andreas Pfeiff, Elisabeth Baier, Patrick Jochem, and Christoph Skupnik for assistance in putting together this book.
Table of Contents
C. Böhringer, A. Löschel: Introduction.-
Part A: Policy Background: C. Böhringer, A. Löschel: Climate Policy.- N. Kouvaritakis, N. Stroblos, L. Paroussos, S. Tsallas: Trade Policy.- T. Taylor, A. Hunt, A. Markandya: Multilateral Environmental Agreements and the Trade and Environment Nexus.-
Part B: Analytical Framework: C. Böhringer, A. Löschel, J. Francois: A Computable General Equilibrium Model for Climate and Trade Policy Analysis.- D. Willenbockel: Imperfect Competition: Modelling Alternatives and Sensitivity.- F. Eckermann, M. Stronzik, A. Hunt, T. Taylor: Risk and Transaction Costs.- M. Rauscher, B. Lünenbürger: Leakage.-
Part C: Policy Simulations: C. Böhringer, A. Löschel: Climate Policies: Trade Spillovers, Joint Implementation and Technological Spillovers, Market Power, Investment Risks.- N. Kouvaritakis, N. Stroblos, L. Paroussos, S. Tsallas: Trade Liberalisation and Climate Policies.