The power of eco-labels: Communicating climate change using carbon footprint labels consistent with international trade regimes under the WTO

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kloeckner, Jane

Note: [] Jane Kloeckner is an Adjunct Professor of Law at University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Law and an attorney for the US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Regional Counsel, Region VII. She is a member of the Missouri Bar and the Federal Bar Associations. She graduated from St. Louis University School of Law, JD, and Kansas City School of Law, LLM. The views expressed in this paper are solely the author's and do not represent the views of the EPA, the Kansas City School of Law, or any other government agency. This article builds on a paper given at the international conference on “Culture, Politics, and Climate Change” held at the University of Colorado Boulder on 13-15 September 2012. Special thanks are due to the anonymous referees for their improving remarks. Errors and omissions are the author's alone.

Abstract: Information is power. At the intersection of culture, science, mass communication, and law, this paper argues that information provided by a transparent and internationally harmonized eco-label scheme serves to enhance understanding of public policy choices for mitigating climate change. A product carbon footprint (PCF) label communicates climate change information to citizen consumers and can indirectly reduce GHG emissions. PCF labels are effective response measures that countries are taking to address global warming and are not obstacles to international trade. The international community should embrace domestic PCF labeling schemes, whether voluntary or mandatory. The PCF label and associated standards, which countries may use as domestic trade measures in response to the challenges of climate change, should be consistent with the rules and regimes of WTO agreements to ensure that these schemes support fair and free international trade. At some time in the future, the UNFCCC parties may reach agreement on a domestic response, including trade measures, to reduce GHG emissions, and PCF labeling schemes may be adapted as needed to assist developing countries' participation. The WTO should support environmental trade measures that fight global warming, such as a domestic PCF label and associated standards.

DOI: 10.3233/CL-120064

Journal: Climate Law, vol. 3, no. 3-4, pp. 209-230, 2012