A Study On Subsidies For New Energy And Its Compatibility With WTO Rules

Trade and Environment, undoubtedly, is a concerned issue of ContemporaryInternational Law, on the other hand, the subsidies for new energy plays an importantrole on the stage of trade and environment. The purpose of this thesis is trying to finda sustainable balance between the free trade system and the environmental protectionsystem in the discussion of new energy and its compatibility with WTO rules.Conflict between international trade and environmental protection is once againon the rise. After a decade of tranquility, major trading powers are aggressivelychallenging each other’s pro-environment policies in the name of global trade rules.Indeed, the new energy industry is developing rapidly, with more conflicts looming onthe horizon. In the current case, most governments will keep providing subsidies fornew energy industry. In order to minimize the negative effect from conflicts andprotect the environment, reviewing the certain WTO rules and regulating the subsidiesreasonably will make a contribution to the balance between trade and environment.Chapter I mainly focus on making an overview of new energy and subsidies, andrelating legislation and policies in some western countries.Chapter II explains the methodology for analyzing the compatibility with SCMAgreement through two WTO cases.Chapter III points out some WTO rules relating to the subsidies have beenoutdating and need to make a space for the subsidies within the provisions of SCM Agreement.Chapter IV mainly discusses the practice in China.