A solution to the control of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions looms, and it requires international cooperation, binding commitments, and international trade under the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Much-hyped international climate talks continue to fall short, highlighting the reliance on domestic policies to address emission cuts. Even so, domestic legislation faces uncertain compatibility with international commitments. Domestic Climate policies inevitably implicate trade, and trade creates leverage to encourage other key trade partners to bind themselves to a climate deal. WTO Members should introduce a new agreement, the General Agreement on Trade and Emissions (GATE), to reduce GHG emissions through international trade.
Journal of World Trade