by Mark Sutcliffe

Bush pulls out of the Kyoto protocol

Many claimed that the Kyoto climate agreement on carbon dioxide emissions was ‘too little, too late’. Now that the United States has pulled out of the agreement, it may be ‘too little, not at all’. The American decision to withdraw from the agreement poses a serious threat as to whether the treaty will be ratified. The EU insists it will press ahead with its commitment to reduce carbon dioxide gas emissions by 8 per cent of 1990 levels by 2010, irrespective of the American decision. It hopes that its lead will ensure other nations do not abandon the agreement.

...More

The pharmaceutical companies get TRIP’ed up

The Kyoto protocol has been one source of fierce international debate. Another has been is the WTO agreement on intellectual property rights.

The WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) is one of the cornerstones of the organisation. The agreement covers not only intellectual property but also patents. It sets out standards of protection for patent holders and identifies the mechanisms by which patent holders can enforce their rights.

...More

Enterprise for all

Following a second landslide election victory, the UK labour government has declared that, for the next parliament, economic policy will aim to ensure ‘enterprise for all’. This, it argues, is crucial if the UK is to meet the ‘productivity challenge’.

...More

Back to back issues