ZEF Public Lecture: International Trade and the Environment: Trade-Offs and Synergies
March 9, 2023 | 13:30 h - 14:30 h
Topic: International Trade and the Environment: Trade-Offs and Synergies
Speaker: Prof. Clara Brandi (Head of the Research Programme “Transformation of Economic and Social Systems” at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS))
The presentation is in-person only and will take place at the Center for Development Research / ZEF (conference room on the groundfloor), Genscherallee 3, 53113 Bonn.
Abstract: Traditionally, environmental policy used to be seen as a realm that is separate from international trade. Yet, trade and environmental policies are interlinked and we need to take this interplay into account in the context of both research and policy advice. Firstly, bilateral and regional trade agreements, which are mushrooming around the world, are not only about trade. Instead, today’s trade agreements also tackle various so-called non-trade issues, including the environment.
Secondly, more than 2000 international environmental agreements have been concluded to address environmental problems – many of which contain trade provisions. For example, trade provisions in the Montreal Protocol, which was established to stop the depletion of the ozone layer, have played a key role for the success of this treaty.
Against this background, the talk tackles the question: to what extent and how can trade policy contribute to more environmental protection? Can we generate synergies that contribute both to the economic and ecological dimension of sustainable development?
Prof. Dr. Clara Brandi is Head of the Research Programme “Transformation of Economic and Social Systems” at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and Professor of International Economics / Development Economics at the University of Bonn. She holds a PhD from the European University Institute, an MPhil in Politics from the University of Oxford and a Master’s degree in economics from the University of Freiburg. She provides policy advice at the national and international level and has published widely on global economic governance, sustainable development and justice, for example in World Development, World Economy and Journal of Global Ethics.
