Using the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership to Limit Fossil Fuel Subsidies
A study conducted by the Harrison Institute for Public Law for the Greens/EFA Group
Abstract of the study
Fossil fuel subsidies contribute to climate change by encouraging production and consumption of carbon-intensive energy sources. The G20’s commitment in 2009 to phase out fossil fuel subsidies has had little effect due to the lack of an enforcement mechanism and other shortcomings. International trade rules could provide the needed enforcement regime, but unfortunately, the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have been used to challenge renewable energy programs rather than fossil fuel subsidies.
The negotiations between the United States and the European Union on the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) present an important opportunity to negotiate both enforceable limits on fossil fuel subsidies and protections for renewable energy programs.
