Robert Wolfe, Mark Halle, IISD and ENTWINED, 2011. Paper, copyright: IISD and ENTWINED
Leaders of the G20 promised repeatedly that they would refrain from trade restrictions in response to the global financial crisis that began in 2008, and that they would minimize the negative impact on trade and investment of stimulus measures. They also promised to hold themselves accountable for this commitment using a novel transparency mechanism based in the World Trade Organization (WTO). At the same time, the Global Trade Alert (GTA) set itself up as an alternative accountability mechanism. A detailed comparison of GTA and WTO data on the number of measures each found, and of their ability to offer robust interpretations of the measures, allows both a check on the official story, and a consideration of how transparency can help to close the gap between commitment and action, thereby contributing to accountable global governance.
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About the International Institute for Sustainable Development
The world is challenged by a changing climate, biodiversity loss, abject poverty and environmental degradation. What can make a difference? Good ideas. Creativity. Passion. Innovation. The achievement of change.
IISD is in the business of promoting change towards sustainable development. As a policy research institute dedicated to effective communication of our findings, we engage decision-makers in government, business, NGOs and other sectors in the development and implementation of policies that are simultaneously beneficial to the global economy, the global environment and to social well-being.
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