Environmental Differentiation under the WTO

International Environmental Policy Conference 2007 © Lin Jiaqiao MESOPM

Environmental Differentiation under the WTO

2007 CEU Beyond Borders: Environmental Issues Across Disciplines and Regions

——The Role China Plays

MESPOM Student

- Lin Jiaqiao


(Danutz, 2006 )

HDI ranking (high-green, medium-yellow, low-red), according to list of countries by HDI


(EPI Report, 2006 )


(EPE Report, 2006 )


Schematic graph on environmental differentiation

1978 2001Industrial revolution

China

LDCs

Developed Countries

China

LDCs

Developed Countries


Why emphasizing China’s role?

China: import waste, natural resources exploitation

LDCs: natural resources export

Developed: externalization of environmental cost

LDCsDeveloped

countries


Natural resources Oil, natural gas,

copper ore, iron ore, rare metal, timber, etc.

China-Africa Cooperation Forum

Zero tariff, debt exemption, financial, medical, and educational aid, etc.

LDCs


Transferring polluted industry Waste export

E-trash, plastic waste Import of resource-intensified

commodities Cater for China’s huge appetite

Developed

countries


Greenpeace,2005


BAN,2002


Greenpeace,2005

www.time.com China pattern,2006


Free trade

Every country better off

Higher economic growth

Two conflicts:

Between countries

Inherent conflicts within a country


Political dilemma on environmental considerations in China

Pan Yue, SEPA

Environment Economy

Xie Zhenhua, NDRC

Policy makers


It is urgent ! SEPA, becoming strong. Green GDP Developing renewable resources, 11th FYP Pollution and waste management After 2010, younger nation’s leaders

Perspective for China’s environmental performance


Policy Practice

•The government’s new “buying green ” policy will be implemented at all levels of jurisdiction starting in 2008, by SEPA.

•"Waste Home Appliance and Electronic Products Recycling and Management Rule" is going to be formally implemented in 2007, by NDRC

•The landmark Renewable Energy Law took effect on January 1,2006

•China Green National Accounting Study Report 2004 by SEPA,2006

•Chinese government began to punish multinational corporations for violating the nation’s environmental laws and regulations, last three years


Model for other developing countries Reduce environmental externalization Involve more in MEAs making Relieve LDCs’ burden

Implications for reduce environmental difference


Schematic graph on environmental unification

1978 2001 2007 2050 ?

China

LDCs

Developed Countries


1. Jahiel, A. R. 2006. China, the WTO, and Implications for the Environment. Environmental Politics 15(2): 310–329.

2. Abigail, R.J. (2006) China, the WTO, and Implications for the Environment. Environmental Politics, 15(2), 310-29.

3. Constantine, M. (2001) Developing countries in the WTO Palgrave, New York.4. DeSombre, E. R. and Barkin J S. 2002. Turtles and Trade: The WTO’s

Acceptance of Environmental Trade Restrictions. Global Environmental Politics 2(1): 12-18.

5. Guha-Khasnobis, B. (2004) The WTO, developing countries and the Doha development agenda : prospects and challenges for trade-led growth.

6. Kelly, D., Grant,Wyn. (2005) The politics of international trade in the twenty-first century : actors, issues and regional dynamics Palgrave Macmillan, New York.

7. Lu, D., Wen,G. James , Zhou,Huizhong (2003) China's economic globalization through the WTO Ashgate Publishing Ltd., Burlington.

8. Neumayer, E. 2004. ‘The WTO and the environment: its past record is better than critics believe, but the future outlook is bleak’. Global Environmental Politics 4(3): 1–8.

9. Schott, J.J. (1996) The world trading system : challenges ahead Institute for International Economics, Washington D.C.

Reference


Viet Nam joins WTO yesterday, 11 January 2007Viet Nam informed the WTO on 12 December 2006 that it had ratified its membership agreement. It becomes the WTO's 150th member on 11 January 2007.

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Environmental Differentiation under the WTO

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