The Durban Climate Conference agreed on the creation of a new market-based mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and to consider the establishment of an overall framework for various mitigation approaches, including opportunities for using markets...

This article reviews the impact of intellectual property (IP) protection on foreign direct investment (FDI) by multinational enterprises (MNEs) in developing countries. Applying different panel data techniques to a newly-created comprehensive FDI/IP dataset of 31 Swiss MNEs investing into 53...

Due to economic, financial and administrative constraints, least-developed countries (LDCs) have not managed to make significant progress in the implementation of the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). In the latest TRIPS Council meeting of 11-12 June...

The so-called 'Linking'-Directive adopted in 2004 does not impose any limit on the import of JI and CDM credits under the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), but requires from the Member States to set, in accordance with their 'supplementarity' obligations under the Marrakesh...

The Doha Development Agenda (DDA) introduced the idea of protecting Traditional Knowledge (TK) into multilateral trade negotiations. In parallel, it discusses enhanced protection of Geographical Indications (GIs) for agricultural products, beyond the current levels of protection based upon...

This is one of three in-depth exploratory studies, which aim to gain a deeper understanding of the role that interoperability plays as an enabler of innovation and creativity in international trade. Each study explores the various institutions, policies and approaches that shape the...

This paper attempts to shed some light to the relationship between new mechanisms to mitigate climate change and promote renewable energy generation, and the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). Trade in Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) is a market-based scheme that promotes energy...

This paper outlines some of the highlights and issues surrounding carbon markets in North America. Carbon markets are a new branch of environmental finance. The issues covered include US Federal and State carbon policy, climate change legislation and trading systems. A particular focus will be...

Disputes involving trade and investment in services are a rarity in the WTO. Up to now, the WTO dispute settlement mechanism (DSM) has addressed over 130 cases, of which a handful concerned trade and investment in services. It is possible to identify three relevant reasons that may explain, at...

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations between the European Union and its African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) partners represent the most significant free trade agreement negotiations between developed and developing countries to date, and hold valuable lessons for the ongoing...