Green Subsidies and the WTO

This paper provides a detailed explanation how the law of the World Trade Organization regulates environmental subsidies with a focus on renewable energy subsidies. The paper begins by discussing the economic justifications for such subsidies and t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Charnovitz, Steve
Format: Policy Research Working Paper
Language:English
en_US
Published: World Bank Group, Washington, DC 2014
Subjects:
TAX
WTO
Online Access:http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2014/10/20290817/green-subsidies-wto
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/20500
id okr-10986-20500
recordtype oai_dc
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Foreign Institution
institution Digital Repositories
building World Bank Open Knowledge Repository
collection World Bank
language English
en_US
topic ABATEMENT
ADVERSE EFFECTS
AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE
AGREEMENT ON SUBSIDIES
AGREEMENT ON TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS
AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES
AGRICULTURE
APPELLATE BODY
APPELLATE BODY REPORT
BANK LENDING
BENCHMARK
BUDGET CONSTRAINTS
CAPITAL MARKET
CARBON
CARBON EMISSIONS
CARBON TAX
CASE LAW
CLIMATE CHANGE
COAL
COMMODITY
COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE
COMPETITIVENESS
COMPLEX TASK
CONFLICT OF LAW
CONSUMERS
COST SAVINGS
COUNTERVAILING DUTIES
COUNTERVAILING MEASURES
COUNTRY MARKET
CURRENCY
DEBT
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRY
DEVELOPMENT POLICY
DIMINISHING RETURNS
DIRECT TRANSFER
DISADVANTAGED REGIONS
DISGUISED RESTRICTION
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM
DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES
DOMESTIC MARKET
DUMPING
ECONOMIC EFFECTS
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS
ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION
ECONOMIC LAW
ECONOMIC WELFARE
ECONOMICS
ECONOMISTS
EMISSIONS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SUBSIDIES
ENVIRONMENTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXTERNALITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL SUBSIDIES
ENVIRONMENTAL SUBSIDY
ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES
ENVIRONMENTS
EQUITY CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES
EXPORT CREDIT
EXPORT CREDITS
EXPORT MARKETS
EXPORT SUBSIDY
EXPORTS
EXTERNALITIES
FINANCIAL BENEFIT
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
FISCAL POLICIES
FOREIGN COMPANIES
FOREIGN COUNTRIES
FOREIGN EXPORT SUBSIDIES
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT
FOREIGN INVESTMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FREE RIDERS
GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES
GLOBAL ECONOMY
GLOBAL WELFARE
GOVERNMENT GRANTS
GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES
GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY
GREEN INVESTMENTS
GROWTH THEORY
INCOME
INCOMES
INCREASING RETURNS
INFORMATION ASYMMETRIES
INTANGIBLES
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
INTEREST RATES
INTERMEDIATE INPUTS
INTERNALIZATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS
INTERNATIONAL LAW
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW
INVESTMENT DECISION
JOB CREATION
JURISDICTION
LEGAL CONSTRAINTS
MANAGED TRADE
MARGINAL BENEFITS
MARGINAL COSTS
MARKET ACCESS
MARKET CONDITIONS
MARKET DISTORTIONS
MARKET EXPECTATIONS
MARKET FAILURE
MARKET FAILURES
MARKET PRICES
MARKET SHARE
MATERIAL INJURY
NATIONAL AUTHORITIES
NEGATIVE EXTERNALITIES
NEGATIVE EXTERNALITY
NON-ACTIONABLE SUBSIDIES
NON-TARIFF BARRIERS
OUTPUT
OVERHEAD COSTS
PANEL REPORT
PATENTS
POLICY MAKERS
POLICY RESEARCH
POLITICAL ECONOMY
POLLUTER
POLLUTERS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
PORTFOLIO
POSITIVE EXTERNALITIES
POSITIVE EXTERNALITY
PRIVATE INVESTMENTS
PRIVATE INVESTORS
PRIVATIZATION
PRIVATIZATIONS
PRODUCERS
PRODUCTION PROCESS
PRODUCTION PROCESSES
PROPERTY RIGHTS
PUBLIC GOOD
PUBLIC GOODS
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
RATE OF RETURN
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
REMEDIES
RENEWABLE ENERGIES
RENEWABLE ENERGY
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
SECURITY EXCEPTIONS
SETTLEMENT SYSTEM
SOCIAL COSTS
SUBSIDIZATION
SUBSIDIZED IMPORTS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
TARIFF BARRIERS
TAX
TAX ADVANTAGES
TAX BENEFITS
TAX CREDIT
TAX CREDITS
TAX SUBSIDY
TAX TREATMENT
TAXATION
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TRADE BARRIERS
TRADE DISPUTES
TRADE POLICY
TRADE RESTRICTIONS
TRADE RULES
TRADING SYSTEM
TRANSFER OF FUNDS
TRANSPARENCY
UNFAIR COMPETITION
UNJUSTIFIABLE DISCRIMINATION
URUGUAY ROUND
VENTURE CAPITAL
VENTURE CAPITALIST
WORLD ECONOMY
WORLD MARKET
WORLD TRADE
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
WORLD TRADING SYSTEM
WTO
spellingShingle ABATEMENT
ADVERSE EFFECTS
AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE
AGREEMENT ON SUBSIDIES
AGREEMENT ON TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS
AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES
AGRICULTURE
APPELLATE BODY
APPELLATE BODY REPORT
BANK LENDING
BENCHMARK
BUDGET CONSTRAINTS
CAPITAL MARKET
CARBON
CARBON EMISSIONS
CARBON TAX
CASE LAW
CLIMATE CHANGE
COAL
COMMODITY
COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE
COMPETITIVENESS
COMPLEX TASK
CONFLICT OF LAW
CONSUMERS
COST SAVINGS
COUNTERVAILING DUTIES
COUNTERVAILING MEASURES
COUNTRY MARKET
CURRENCY
DEBT
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRY
DEVELOPMENT POLICY
DIMINISHING RETURNS
DIRECT TRANSFER
DISADVANTAGED REGIONS
DISGUISED RESTRICTION
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM
DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES
DOMESTIC MARKET
DUMPING
ECONOMIC EFFECTS
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS
ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION
ECONOMIC LAW
ECONOMIC WELFARE
ECONOMICS
ECONOMISTS
EMISSIONS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SUBSIDIES
ENVIRONMENTAL
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXTERNALITIES
ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL SUBSIDIES
ENVIRONMENTAL SUBSIDY
ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES
ENVIRONMENTS
EQUITY CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES
EXPORT CREDIT
EXPORT CREDITS
EXPORT MARKETS
EXPORT SUBSIDY
EXPORTS
EXTERNALITIES
FINANCIAL BENEFIT
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
FISCAL POLICIES
FOREIGN COMPANIES
FOREIGN COUNTRIES
FOREIGN EXPORT SUBSIDIES
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT
FOREIGN INVESTMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FREE RIDERS
GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES
GLOBAL ECONOMY
GLOBAL WELFARE
GOVERNMENT GRANTS
GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES
GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY
GREEN INVESTMENTS
GROWTH THEORY
INCOME
INCOMES
INCREASING RETURNS
INFORMATION ASYMMETRIES
INTANGIBLES
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
INTEREST RATES
INTERMEDIATE INPUTS
INTERNALIZATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES
INTERNATIONAL BANK
INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS
INTERNATIONAL LAW
INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW
INVESTMENT DECISION
JOB CREATION
JURISDICTION
LEGAL CONSTRAINTS
MANAGED TRADE
MARGINAL BENEFITS
MARGINAL COSTS
MARKET ACCESS
MARKET CONDITIONS
MARKET DISTORTIONS
MARKET EXPECTATIONS
MARKET FAILURE
MARKET FAILURES
MARKET PRICES
MARKET SHARE
MATERIAL INJURY
NATIONAL AUTHORITIES
NEGATIVE EXTERNALITIES
NEGATIVE EXTERNALITY
NON-ACTIONABLE SUBSIDIES
NON-TARIFF BARRIERS
OUTPUT
OVERHEAD COSTS
PANEL REPORT
PATENTS
POLICY MAKERS
POLICY RESEARCH
POLITICAL ECONOMY
POLLUTER
POLLUTERS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
PORTFOLIO
POSITIVE EXTERNALITIES
POSITIVE EXTERNALITY
PRIVATE INVESTMENTS
PRIVATE INVESTORS
PRIVATIZATION
PRIVATIZATIONS
PRODUCERS
PRODUCTION PROCESS
PRODUCTION PROCESSES
PROPERTY RIGHTS
PUBLIC GOOD
PUBLIC GOODS
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
RATE OF RETURN
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
REMEDIES
RENEWABLE ENERGIES
RENEWABLE ENERGY
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
SECURITY EXCEPTIONS
SETTLEMENT SYSTEM
SOCIAL COSTS
SUBSIDIZATION
SUBSIDIZED IMPORTS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
TARIFF BARRIERS
TAX
TAX ADVANTAGES
TAX BENEFITS
TAX CREDIT
TAX CREDITS
TAX SUBSIDY
TAX TREATMENT
TAXATION
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TRADE BARRIERS
TRADE DISPUTES
TRADE POLICY
TRADE RESTRICTIONS
TRADE RULES
TRADING SYSTEM
TRANSFER OF FUNDS
TRANSPARENCY
UNFAIR COMPETITION
UNJUSTIFIABLE DISCRIMINATION
URUGUAY ROUND
VENTURE CAPITAL
VENTURE CAPITALIST
WORLD ECONOMY
WORLD MARKET
WORLD TRADE
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
WORLD TRADING SYSTEM
WTO
Charnovitz, Steve
Green Subsidies and the WTO
relation Policy Research Working Paper;No. 7060
description This paper provides a detailed explanation how the law of the World Trade Organization regulates environmental subsidies with a focus on renewable energy subsidies. The paper begins by discussing the economic justifications for such subsidies and the criticisms of them and then gives examples of categories of subsidies. The paper provides an overview of the relevant World Trade Organization rules and case law, including the recent Canada-Renewable Energy case. The paper also makes specific recommendations for how World Trade Organization law can be improved and discusses the literature on reform proposals. The study finds that because of a lack of clarity in World Trade Organizaion rules, for some clean energy subsidies, a government will not know in advance whether the subsidy is World Trade Organization-legal.
format Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper
author Charnovitz, Steve
author_facet Charnovitz, Steve
author_sort Charnovitz, Steve
title Green Subsidies and the WTO
title_short Green Subsidies and the WTO
title_full Green Subsidies and the WTO
title_fullStr Green Subsidies and the WTO
title_full_unstemmed Green Subsidies and the WTO
title_sort green subsidies and the wto
publisher World Bank Group, Washington, DC
publishDate 2014
url http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2014/10/20290817/green-subsidies-wto
http://hdl.handle.net/10986/20500
_version_ 1764445546427187200
spelling okr-10986-205002021-04-23T14:03:56Z Green Subsidies and the WTO Charnovitz, Steve ABATEMENT ADVERSE EFFECTS AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE AGREEMENT ON SUBSIDIES AGREEMENT ON TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES AGRICULTURE APPELLATE BODY APPELLATE BODY REPORT BANK LENDING BENCHMARK BUDGET CONSTRAINTS CAPITAL MARKET CARBON CARBON EMISSIONS CARBON TAX CASE LAW CLIMATE CHANGE COAL COMMODITY COMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE COMPETITIVENESS COMPLEX TASK CONFLICT OF LAW CONSUMERS COST SAVINGS COUNTERVAILING DUTIES COUNTERVAILING MEASURES COUNTRY MARKET CURRENCY DEBT DEVELOPED COUNTRIES DEVELOPING COUNTRIES DEVELOPING COUNTRY DEVELOPMENT POLICY DIMINISHING RETURNS DIRECT TRANSFER DISADVANTAGED REGIONS DISGUISED RESTRICTION DISPUTE SETTLEMENT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM DOMESTIC INDUSTRIES DOMESTIC MARKET DUMPING ECONOMIC EFFECTS ECONOMIC GROWTH ECONOMIC INSTRUMENTS ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION ECONOMIC LAW ECONOMIC WELFARE ECONOMICS ECONOMISTS EMISSIONS ENERGY CONSUMPTION ENERGY EFFICIENCY ENERGY SUBSIDIES ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS ENVIRONMENTAL EXTERNALITIES ENVIRONMENTAL GOODS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL SUBSIDIES ENVIRONMENTAL SUBSIDY ENVIRONMENTAL TREATIES ENVIRONMENTS EQUITY CAPITAL EXPENDITURES EXPORT CREDIT EXPORT CREDITS EXPORT MARKETS EXPORT SUBSIDY EXPORTS EXTERNALITIES FINANCIAL BENEFIT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION FINANCIAL INSTITUTION FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FINANCIAL RESOURCES FISCAL POLICIES FOREIGN COMPANIES FOREIGN COUNTRIES FOREIGN EXPORT SUBSIDIES FOREIGN GOVERNMENT FOREIGN INVESTMENT FOSSIL FUELS FREE RIDERS GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES GLOBAL ECONOMY GLOBAL WELFARE GOVERNMENT GRANTS GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP GOVERNMENT REGULATION GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY GREEN INVESTMENTS GROWTH THEORY INCOME INCOMES INCREASING RETURNS INFORMATION ASYMMETRIES INTANGIBLES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS INTEREST RATES INTERMEDIATE INPUTS INTERNALIZATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES INTERNATIONAL BANK INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS INTERNATIONAL LAW INTERNATIONAL MARKETS INTERNATIONAL TRADE INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW INVESTMENT DECISION JOB CREATION JURISDICTION LEGAL CONSTRAINTS MANAGED TRADE MARGINAL BENEFITS MARGINAL COSTS MARKET ACCESS MARKET CONDITIONS MARKET DISTORTIONS MARKET EXPECTATIONS MARKET FAILURE MARKET FAILURES MARKET PRICES MARKET SHARE MATERIAL INJURY NATIONAL AUTHORITIES NEGATIVE EXTERNALITIES NEGATIVE EXTERNALITY NON-ACTIONABLE SUBSIDIES NON-TARIFF BARRIERS OUTPUT OVERHEAD COSTS PANEL REPORT PATENTS POLICY MAKERS POLICY RESEARCH POLITICAL ECONOMY POLLUTER POLLUTERS POLLUTION POLLUTION CONTROL PORTFOLIO POSITIVE EXTERNALITIES POSITIVE EXTERNALITY PRIVATE INVESTMENTS PRIVATE INVESTORS PRIVATIZATION PRIVATIZATIONS PRODUCERS PRODUCTION PROCESS PRODUCTION PROCESSES PROPERTY RIGHTS PUBLIC GOOD PUBLIC GOODS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS RATE OF RETURN REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS REMEDIES RENEWABLE ENERGIES RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SECURITY EXCEPTIONS SETTLEMENT SYSTEM SOCIAL COSTS SUBSIDIZATION SUBSIDIZED IMPORTS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TARIFF BARRIERS TAX TAX ADVANTAGES TAX BENEFITS TAX CREDIT TAX CREDITS TAX SUBSIDY TAX TREATMENT TAXATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TRADE BARRIERS TRADE DISPUTES TRADE POLICY TRADE RESTRICTIONS TRADE RULES TRADING SYSTEM TRANSFER OF FUNDS TRANSPARENCY UNFAIR COMPETITION UNJUSTIFIABLE DISCRIMINATION URUGUAY ROUND VENTURE CAPITAL VENTURE CAPITALIST WORLD ECONOMY WORLD MARKET WORLD TRADE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION WORLD TRADING SYSTEM WTO This paper provides a detailed explanation how the law of the World Trade Organization regulates environmental subsidies with a focus on renewable energy subsidies. The paper begins by discussing the economic justifications for such subsidies and the criticisms of them and then gives examples of categories of subsidies. The paper provides an overview of the relevant World Trade Organization rules and case law, including the recent Canada-Renewable Energy case. The paper also makes specific recommendations for how World Trade Organization law can be improved and discusses the literature on reform proposals. The study finds that because of a lack of clarity in World Trade Organizaion rules, for some clean energy subsidies, a government will not know in advance whether the subsidy is World Trade Organization-legal. 2014-10-30T20:56:31Z 2014-10-30T20:56:31Z 2014-10 http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2014/10/20290817/green-subsidies-wto http://hdl.handle.net/10986/20500 English en_US Policy Research Working Paper;No. 7060 CC BY 3.0 IGO http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/ World Bank Group, Washington, DC Publications & Research :: Policy Research Working Paper Publications & Research