PRIMENA REGIONALNIH TRGOVINSKIH SPORAZUMA KAO KATALIZATORA KLIMATSKI PAMETNE TRGOVINE: SLUČAJ ZEMALJA ZAPADNOG BALKANA

  • Ljuben Kocev Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Economics – Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
  • Katerina Toshevska – Trpchevska Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Economics – Skopje
  • Jasna Tonovska Ss Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Economics – Skopje
Keywords: climate-smart trade, environmental provisions, regional trade agreements, free trade agreements, sustainable development, Western Balkans

Abstract


The concept of climate-smart trade is gaining momentum as trade agreements increasingly incorporate provisions to balance economic growth and environmental conservation. While in the past, environmental and climate issues played a minor role in international trade agreements, recently there has been a growing trend towards incorporating climate-smart provisions, particularly in regional trade agreements (RTAs). These provisions aim to promote sustainable development, pursue international environmental goals, ensure a level playing field, and enhance environmental cooperation. The paper analyzes the emergence of environmental and climate-related provisions in free trade agreements. It attempts to define them, explain how they are incorporated into free trade agreements, and assess the reasons for the increased number of such provisions. The paper then briefly analyses statistical data related to the types of environmental and climate-related provisions contained in FTAs, before going into details of the climate-smart provisions of the regional trade agreements in the Western Balkans. 

References

Abman, R. M., Lundberg, C.C. & Ruta, M. (2021). The Effectiveness of Environmental Provisions in Regional Trade Agreements. Policy Research Working Paper Series 9601, The World Bank.
Additional Protocol 5 to the Agreement on Amendment of and Accession to the CEFTA – 2006.
Additional Protocol 6 to the Agreement on Amendment of and Accession to the CEFTA – 2006.
Brandi, C., Schwab, J., Berger, A., & Morin, J.F., (2020), Do environmental provisions in trade agreements make exports from developing countries greener?, World Development, Volume 129, May 2020.
Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) 2006.
CEFTA Legal Documents. (n.d.). CEFTA. Retrieved December 20, 2023, from https://cefta.int/about/documents/legal-documents/
Deere Birkbeck, C. (2021). Greening International Trade: Pathways Forward, Global Governance Centre and the Forum on Trade, Environment & the SDGs (TESS): Geneva.
ESCAP, UNEP & UNCTAD (2021). ASIA-PACIFIC TRADE AND INVESTMENT REPORT 2021 Accelerating Climate-smart Trade and Investment for Sustainable Development, United Nations.
EU Climate change. (n.d.). Commission.europa.eu. https://commission.europa.eu/energy-climate-change-environment/topics/climate-change_en
European Commission. (2023). Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. European Commission. https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/carbon-border-adjustment-mechanism_en
Morin, J.F., Dür A., & Lechner, L., (2018), Mapping the trade and environment nexus: Insights from a new dataset, Global Environmental Politics, vol. 18(1)
Monteiro, J.A., Chobanova, S., & Ramos D., (2022) WTO Trade and Climate Change, Climate change in regional trade agreements, Information Brief No.2, World Trade Organization, Geneva.
OECD. (2023). OECD work on Regional Trade Agreements and the environment Policy Perspectives. OECD.
Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, of the other part - Final Act, OJ L 84, 20.3.2004, p. 13–197.
TREND analytics. (n.d.). TREND Analytics. Retrieved December 18, 2023, from https://klimalog.idos-research.de/trend/about-trend.html
Published
2025/03/17
Section
Professional Paper