01 Apr 2015 - 01 Jan 2016
Europe, Other Regions, Research, Trade, economic integration and globalization

Trade sustainability impact assessment (Trade SIA) in support of negotiations of a comprehensive trade and investment agreement between the European Union and Japan

Project description

The project assesses the potential impacts of proposed trade liberalization on the EU, the trading partner country as well as other relevant countries and on all pillars of sustainable development in order to help optimize the decisions and choices made about policy.

General Objectives of the Project

The study aims to assess how the trade and trade-related provisions under negotiation could affect economic, social, and environmental issues in the EU and Japan. Furthermore, the study proposes measures (trade or non-trade – the so-called ‘beyond the border’ dimension/issues) to maximize the benefits of the DCFTA and prevent or minimize potential negative impacts.

The assessment also informs policy makers to allow them to set up the right accompanying policies at regional, territorial, national and EU level, so as to maintain and improve global competitiveness of industry and services and ensure support for the necessary labor market and social adjustments.

In addition to providing insights into expected impacts of the DCFTA and informing negotiators policy makers the study serves as a contribution to the Commission’s dialogue with stakeholders and trading partners.

Involvement of CASE

CASE role in the project involves, but is not limited to:

  • Providing comments on the drafts of the Inception Report, the Technical Interim Report and the Final Report, specifically from a social and environmental perspective;
  • Overall  economic and environmental analyses; trade modelling
  • In-depth sectoral / horizontal issue analyses regarding economic and environmental impacts of the trade negotiations for Japan as well as a short write-up of the policy recommendations that follow from these analyses.
  • Making policy recommendations to mitigate negative and enhance positive impacts of the trade negotiations, with a focus on environmental and economic issues.

Project sponsor: EC DG Trade

Project partner: London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

Project leader: LSE Enterprise (LSEE)