REDD: Addressing the Drivers – A case for the WTO?

This briefing argues that the UNFCCC is the appropriate venue for addressing international and transboundary drivers of deforestation and that doing so does not inherently violate World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations. The authors contend that joint action by UNFCCC Parties to reduce emissions from deforestation is consistent with both UNFCCC principles and WTO exceptions for environmental protection.

• The UNFCCC does not prohibit Parties from taking measures that affect international trade, provided they are not arbitrary, unjustifiable, or disguised restrictions. The authors argue that joint action to address international drivers of deforestation is neither arbitrary nor unjustifiable because market incentives for deforestation must be addressed for emissions reduction measures to be effective.
• The WTO recognizes the right of its members to adopt trade-related measures for environmental protection. Specifically, GATT Article XX(b) allows measures necessary to protect human, animal, or plant life or health, and Article XX(g) allows measures relating to the conservation of exhaustible natural resources, provided they are paired with domestic production or consumption restrictions.
• There is precedent for Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) to incorporate trade measures to monitor and control trade that causes environmental damage, ensure compliance, or enforce agreements by forbidding trade with non-complying Parties. At least fifteen current MEAs include such trade measures, with dozens more existing at the regional level.
• The Cancun decisions provided an explicit mandate for UNFCCC Parties to consider how to address the drivers of deforestation to reduce human pressure on forests. The authors warn that failing to address international drivers risks 'leakage' or 'free-riders' which could undermine the goal of halting forest loss.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). REDD: Addressing the Drivers – A case for the WTO? https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/REDD_WTO_4Jun2013.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. REDD: Addressing the Drivers – A case for the WTO? n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/REDD_WTO_4Jun2013.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=REDD: Addressing the Drivers – A case for the WTO? |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/REDD_WTO_4Jun2013.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndredd, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{REDD: Addressing the Drivers – A case for the WTO?}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/REDD_WTO_4Jun2013.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }