Brown Bag Seminar: "Using Trade Provisions to Make MEAs more Dynamic"

Abstract

Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) can be static or dynamic. Static MEAs remain inert despite political and biogeophysical changes. By contrast, dynamic MEAs generate new commitments, either by adopting additional rules or attracting new parties. This paper asks what are the design features that increase an MEA’s institutional dynamism? In other words, what seeds should be planted when an MEA is first negotiated so it can grow in depth and membership over time?

We argue that trade provisions can contribute to making MEAs more dynamic. First, MEA trade provisions may alter the capacity of businesses to influence domestic policymaking, which may lead states to strengthen their international commitments. Second, businesses in non-party states may feel at an economic disadvantage and, in turn, pressure their government to join the MEA.

Relying on a dataset of trade provisions included in 654 MEAs, we find that provisions that restrict economic activities are associated with higher numbers of amendments and accessions. This finding is important to defuse the so-called effectiveness dilemma of MEAs and to design more adaptive MEAs, particularly at a time when there is increasing enthusiasm for using trade measures to set up international climate clubs.

More info to follow. Keep watching this space!