Free Trade for Green Goods?

Europe's trade commissioner has called for global free trade in green goods to fight climate change. Commissioner Peter Mandelson said "the best way to cut carbon emissions was by open markets for investment in environmental technology rather than punitive taxes against countries such as the United States which have refused to pledge cuts in greenhose gases under the 1997 Kyoto treaty."

"Alongside an ambitious agreement to cut tariffs in industrial goods in the Doha Round, WTO members should agree to go even further in key areas like clean power generation - defined by their specific link to climate change. It should be possible to agree a 0% tariff deal for these key goods", the trade commissioner said.