carbon footprint
Regulating EV Batteries’ Carbon Footprint: EU Climate Ambition or Green Protectionism?
Author
Mandy Meng Fang
Author Bios (long)

Mandy Meng Fang is an Assistant Professor in the School of Law, City University of Hong Kong.

Date
July 2023
Volume
53
Issue
7
Page
10590
Type
Articles
Summary

The European Union’s (EU’s) recent proposal for a new regulation on EV batteries is a groundbreaking effort, the first to focus on the entire value chain to improve product sustainability and safety throughout the life cycle. Battery producers inside and outside of the EU will have to meet a series of requirements, starting from carbon footprint declaration and related labeling to complying with life-cycle carbon footprint thresholds, for having their products placed in the EU market. While addressing climate change is the key objective, the EU is also seeking to boost its competitiveness, strengthen domestic battery manufacturing capacity, and develop a local value chain. The Battery Regulation’s consistency with obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime thus becomes questionable. This Article explores key concepts of WTO law and examines the compatibility of the EU measures with the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. Notwithstanding that unilateral measures can be permissible, the EU must ensure that design and implementation of its Battery Regulation can contribute to its climate ambition instead of simply being “green protectionism.”

S. 1304
Update Type
Committee Name
Committee on Environment and Public Works
Sponsor Name
Scott
Sponsor Party Affiliation
R-Fla.
Issue
6
Volume
53
Update Issue
13
Update Volume
53
Congress Number
118
Congressional Record Number
169 Cong. Rec. S1382

would require the U.S. Comptroller General to conduct a study on the carbon footprint and environmental impacts of electric vehicles.

Oregon: Climate Change (generally)
March 2020
Volume
50
Issue
5
Update Volume
50
Update Issue
8

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife proposed to adopt a climate and ocean change policy to ensure that the Department responds strategically to the threat of climate and ocean change on native fish and wildlife, makes the most efficient use of its limited resources, and demonstrates leadership in addressing underlying causes by reducing the Department’s own carbon footprint. A hearing will be held April 17, 2020, and comments are due that same date.

ITALY PROPOSES TO BLOCK OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION PERMITS
01/14/2019
Update Volume
49
Update Issue
2

On January 9, Italy's industry ministry announced plans to halt the issuance of roughly 36 oil and gas exploration permits, including three permits already issued in the Ionian Sea. The proposal is part of the country's long-term plans to cut its carbon footprint, which include phasing out coal power production by 2025 and phasing out fossil fuels by 2050. The ministry has said the proposal will be discussed in parliament in the coming days. For the full story, see https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-italy-drilling/italy-to-block-oil-and….

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