Implications for Customs of climate change mitigation and adaptation policy options: A preliminary examination

Abstract

This paper offers a preliminary examination of the theoretical and practical implications of climate change mitigation and adaptation policy options on the role of Customs. The policy options covered are carbon import tariffs (especially border tax adjustments [BTAs]), trade facilitation of low-carbon energy technology (including the salience of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System), enforcement against emission permit trading irregularities, customs clearance of humanitarian relief consignments, trade recovery, and Customs' responses to the potential of climate change driven international trade contraction. The paper contends that further research on such topics using positive and normative criteria will promote rational consideration, formulation and implementation of Customs-relevant climate policies. An interdisciplinary approach is used for the paper's sourcing and analysis, and expanded use of this methodology is encouraged to further enrich research on Customs matters.