Energy Systems and Technologies for the Coming Century ...

India, Brazil, South Korea, and South Africa can not agree on such issues asagriculture subsidies, environment and trade, geographic location Intellectualproperty, and Special and differential treatment to developing countries (WTO) 22 .Similar to the UNFCCC process, political considerations and economic interests,plus scientific knowledge, are main factors countries consider in their trade relationswith other countries. China joined the WTO in 2001, and its rapid economic growthmakes it a challenger to the existing world economic and politic order and makes it atarget of WTO trade disputes. By March 2011, China has been complained against in21 WTO trade disputes(Table 13), most of which are from the US and EU. In the lastfew years, China is fighting back and has so far initiated 8 cases against the US andthe EU (Table 14).Table 13. China joined the WTO in 2001.Total 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011(Q1)As complainant 8 1 1 1 3 1 1As respondent 21 1 3 5 5 4 3Japan and China are important trade partners, however so far the two countries havehad not filed any WTO trade dispute against each other.Table 14. Trade disputes involving Japan and ChinaJapan ascomplainantJapan asrespondentChina as ascomplainantChina asrespondentTotal 14 Total 15 Total 8 Total 21US 8 US 6 US 6 US 11Canada 2 EU 6 EU 2 EU 4EU 2 South Korea 2 Mexico 3Indonesia 1 Canada 1 Canada 2Brazil 1 Guatemala 1Source: WTO, data until end of March 2011Currently, there are specific WTO agreements on textile and agriculture. Despite theimportance of energy in world economy, there is no specific WTO agreement onenergy issues. Instead, the various rules on energy issues scatter in various WTOagreements. Some experts (Marceau, 2009; Cottier et al, 2009) suggestedintroducing a specific energy agreement under the WTO, but this is not formallyincluded in the WTO negotiation agenda yet.VII. ConclusionsRenewable energy is a new industry. It can bring about green and sustainableeconomic growth and contribute to job creation, reducing local air pollution, improvingenergy security, as well as global climate change mitigation. In recognition of themultiple benefits of renewable energy development, more and more countries areintensifying or introducing measures to support renewable energy development.22 Doha Development Agenda - Briefing notes on some of the main issues of the Doha Round,available at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dda_e/status_e/brief00_e.htm, accessed on 15 April2011Risø International Energy Conference 2011 Proceedings Page 113