Trade, environment and climate change

The Norwegian government is actively participating in the current debate with regard to the relationship between trade and climate. The most concrete proposal related to climate in the Doha negotiations is liberalization of trade in enviornmental goods and services, in particular those related to climate change. Norway is a firm supporter of reducing barriers to trade in these goods and services.
 
In July 2007,  Norway proposed that the OECD carry out a survey on the interlinkages between trade rules and climate change measures. Australia and New Zealand were co-sponsors of this initiative, and a descriptive background note is now scheduled to be presented in the 2nd quarter of 2009, in due time before the Copenhagen COP 15 (December 2009).  
 
State Secretary Elisabeth Walaas participated in the informal dialogue for Trade Ministers in Bali 8.- 9. December 2007. She pointed to areas for further attention regarding WTO and climate change, such as if international trade rules hinder national and international climate change measures, and whether the issues of competitiveness concerns could be addressed within current WTO rules.  
 
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre wrote to the Director General Pascal Lamy on 11 March 2008, and focused on the role of WTO in the future climate work. The Foreign Minister pointed to the mutual supportiveness of environment and trade, and warned against so-called offsetting measures to address perceived competitive disadvantages. Furthermore, he argued that there is scope for the WTO to address climate change in a more comprehensive manner. 
 
The Norwegian government, together with the United Kingdom, sponsored the background papers prepared for the Informal Dialogue for Trade Minister in Bali 8.- 9 December 2007. This work was carried out by the international institute for sustainable development (IISD). 

From the Norwegian side, we will continue on this effort, and take part in the follow-up project "From Bali to Copenhagen", together with Finland and Sweden. This project has a broad aim, focusing on research and possible links between the future climate change regime and different parts of the trade rules, and will be concluded  in time for the COP 15 in Copenhagen.