Explaining energy disputes at the World Trade Organization

Introduction to the special issue: energy subsidies at the intersection of climate, energy, and trade governance

“…They conclude, however, that the explanatory power of these factors is not stronger than the legal explanation outlined above. Meyer (2017), in contrast to De Bièvre and colleagues, challenges the standard legal explanation by drawing attention to two alternative hypotheses that are based on the extent to which energy-producing nations have diversified their economies. First, he argues that states are more likely to challenge measures in countries with diversified economies, with countries producing renewable energy technologies usually falling into this category and countries producing fossil fuels usually not.…”

The Politics of Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Their Reform

“…A further question that has been addressed is why some international institutions have not addressed fossil fuel subsidies. Scholars of international relations and international law have been particularly vexed by the fact that fossil fuel subsidies have largely escaped the scrutiny of the World Trade Organization (WTO)particularly when compared to renewable energy subsidies, several of which have been subject to legal challenges (Asmelash 2015;Wold et al 2015;De Bièvre et al 2017;Meyer 2017).…”

Trade, Climate and Energy: A New Study on Climate Action through Free Trade Agreements

“…These important new developments in energy trade policy and diplomacy are closely linked to the rise of climate-relevant provisions in FTAs. Moreover, the inclusion of clean energy trade cooperation measures in these agreements-a key feature of these provisions-potentially helps establish greater stability and order in a sector where numerous trade conflicts between countries have arisen in recent years [30,54].…”