Trade Liberalization and Carbon Leakage

B-Tier
Journal: The Energy Journal
Year: 2003
Volume: 24
Issue: 3
Pages: 97-120

Authors (2)

Onno Kuik (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) Reyer Gerlagh (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of trade liberalization on carbon leakage. We present quantitative estimates of carbon leakage under the Kyoto Protocol with and without freer trade by means of import tariff reductions agreed to in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations. We find that under a plausible range of assumptions, the implementation of these import tariff reductions increases the overall rate of leakage, suggesting that previous studies may structurally have underestimated the rate of carbon leakage under the Kyoto Protocol. But we also find that the costs of abating the trade-induced leakage are modest relative to the welfare gains of freer trade. Analysis of the trade-induced carbon leakage shows large differences between leakage caused by reductions of import tariffs on energy goods and by reductions of import tariffs on non-energy goods. It also shows large differences in emission responses among developing country regions.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:sae:enejou:v:24:y:2003:i:3:p:97-120
Journal Field
Energy
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25