Washington, DC: In a significant step toward addressing the global climate crisis, five leading international organizations have released a groundbreaking report that outlines coordinated approaches for climate action, carbon pricing, and managing the cross-border effects of climate policies. The report, titled "Working Together for Better Climate Action: Carbon Pricing, Policy Spillovers, and Global Climate Goals," comes at a critical juncture as nations ramp up efforts to meet global climate targets.
The report was presented by the Joint Task Force on Climate Action, a collaboration between the World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the World Bank. It highlights the importance of aligning climate change mitigation strategies across borders to address the interconnected nature of climate policy impacts.
The Growing Role of Carbon Pricing in Climate Policy
One of the central themes of the report is carbon pricing—a critical tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon pricing mechanisms such as carbon taxes and emission trading schemes (ETS) have been implemented in 75 jurisdictions worldwide, covering 24% of global emissions. The report emphasizes that stepping up these efforts is essential to achieving the ambitious global emission reduction targets set under the Paris Agreement.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva underscored the urgency, noting, “Global emissions need to be cut urgently to put the world on track to achieve the Paris goals, and global ambition needs to be doubled or quadrupled.” She called for carbon pricing to be an integral part of a comprehensive climate policy, supported by public investment and international coordination.
Addressing Cross-Border Spillovers
A key focus of the report is on the cross-border impacts—or "spillovers"—of national climate policies. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the rise of trade-related climate policies, which have grown significantly since 2009. These policies, however, may lead to trade tensions and retaliatory actions if not carefully coordinated. The report calls for frameworks that align national policies and ensure their interoperability, particularly with mechanisms like carbon border adjustments.
A Path to Global Climate Cooperation
The report lays out four major contributions to advancing global climate efforts:
Common Carbon Pricing Metrics: Creating transparent metrics to help countries track their progress toward decarbonization.
Examining Climate Mitigation Policies: Analyzing the role of carbon pricing as a cost-effective tool that can also generate revenue for development.
Coordinating International Policies: Promoting cooperation to limit negative spillovers from climate policies, particularly for developing countries.
Closing Implementation Gaps: Fostering greater transparency and ambition in national climate action through international collaboration.
OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann echoed the need for alignment in global efforts, stating, “More coherent and better-coordinated global mitigation policies can help prevent negative cross-border impacts such as carbon leakage or trade distortions.”
Supporting Developing Economies
The report recognizes the unique challenges faced by developing countries in balancing climate action with development goals. UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan emphasized the importance of crafting climate policies that are equitable and supportive of economic diversification, especially in less advanced economies. She noted that international cooperation is crucial in minimizing the trade costs and compliance burdens associated with climate policies.
Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director at the World Bank, added that carbon pricing, if well-designed, can incentivize private sector participation while generating public revenue to support development and job creation, particularly in lower-income countries.
Looking Forward
As the world seeks to close the gap between climate ambition and implementation, this joint report offers a comprehensive roadmap for how coordinated international action can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. By addressing policy spillovers and enhancing cooperation, the global community can work together to achieve both climate and development goals.