A Sustainable Energy Trade Agreement

November 7, 2011, 12:00 AM EST
Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington, DC
Gary Clyde Hufbauer (PIIE), James Bacchus (Greenberg Traurig LLP), Timothy J. Richards (GE Energy), Ethan Zindler (Bloomberg New Energy Finance), Ricardo Melendez-Ortiz (International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development) and Richard Samans (Global Green Growth Institute)

The Peterson Institute held a symposium on "A Sustainable Energy Trade Agreement," November 7, 2011, cosponsored with the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) and the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI). Their proposal for a sustainable energy trade agreement (SETA) offers a promising new way to mobilize the trading system to mitigate the effects of climate change, an urgent challenge in light of the impasse over the Doha Development Round. The symposium explored some exciting new avenues for trade and the global environment in the post-Doha world.

C. Fred Bergsten, director of the Peterson Institute; Richard Samans, executive director of GGGI; and Ricardo Melendez-Ortiz, CEO of ICTSD, led off the symposium. Mr. Melendez-Ortiz then presented his concept paper; "Facilitating Climate Change Mitigation." Ethan Zindler, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, summarized the world energy outlook, and PIIE Senior Fellow Gary Clyde Hufbauer presented findings on tariff barriers that limit trade in renewable energy products. A panel of distinguished speakers explored issues in wind and solar energy, biofuels and ethanol, and the role of Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. Afternoon sessions focused on the prospective relation of SETA to the World Trade Organization and existing regional and bilateral free trade agreements, and considered next steps.

Agenda

Introduction

  • C. Fred Bergsten, Peterson Institute for International Economics
  • Richard Samans, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)
  • Ricardo Melendez-Ortiz, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICSTD)

World Energy Outlook

  • Ethan Zindler, Bloomberg New Energy Finance

Concept Paper

  • Ricardo Melendez-Ortiz, International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICSTD)

Trade and Tariffs

Panel: Sector Issues and Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (BICS)

  • Wind Energy: Peter C. Brun, Vestas
    Presentation [PDF]
  • Solar Energy: Shayle Kann, GTM Research
    Presentation [PDF]
  • BioFuels and Ethanol: Amy Porges, Law Offices of Amelia Porges PLLC
    Presentation [PDF]
  • Interest of the BICS: Paulo Sotero, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

Keynote address: Compatibility of SETA, WTO, and FTAs

  • James Bacchus, Greenberg Traurig LLP

New SETA Issues: Services - Government Procurement – Standards

Overview and Next Step

  • Richard Samans, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI)