Brazil says measures discussed at COP28 should 'force multilateralism' and spur sustainable trade (2)

By Mathew Carr

Dec. 13-14, 2023 — Duibai: “This is something that Brazil welcomes,” said Tulio Andrade, head of climate negotiation for the South American country, speaking in a closing press conference.

An anti-unilateral trade measures 3-point proposal was introduced by BASIC nations (see two-page document below); discussed in the global stocktake; “gives positive lenses” to help unite the world: Andrade at COP28 talks.

Should reduce unilateralism/protectionism: Andrade

The US has pursued protectionist policies such as limiting imports of solar panels and exports of computer chips. The EU is imposing a tax at its border to ensure companies inside the border don’t suffer because they are required to buy carbon allowances.

Just energy transition measures were positive at COP28, Andrade said.

Brazil questioned what was the vehicle that would spur a “path towards not using fossil fuels” (I used AI translator Talk & Translate for this sentence)

Key proposals:

One

“The international community must reiterate its firm commitment to contributing to an international environment that is conducive to sustainable development and to inclusive and equitable global decision-making processes that are effectively representative of humanity’s collective intelligence and development aspirations, with a view to shared prosperity.

Two

Parties should also reiterate opposition to the politicization of climate change issues and all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, recognizing that unilateral measures violate the objectives and principles of the Convention and its Paris Agreement, and seriously undermine multilateral cooperation and the ability of the concerned countries to combat climate change.

Three

Parties should also collectively oppose any measures to restrict trade and investment and setting up new green trade barriers, such as unilateral carbon border taxes [the EU has one], with the pretext of addressing climate change, which are incompatible with multilateral rules under the World Trade Organization and the Paris Agreement’s principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), in the light of different national circumstances.”