International Trade and Circular Economy

This course will introduce students to the intersections between international trade and the circular economy and in particular how trade can facilitate the transition to an inclusive circular economy. The course will first introduce students to the many different global developments emerging on the circular economy (at the national, regional and intergovernmental levels) as well as the emerging tensions and debates associated with the topic. Subsequently, the lecturers will explore how to harness the international trade system to advance a globally equitable and inclusive transition to a circular economy. We will look at how the circular economy transition may fundamentally alter value chains and therefore future trade patterns as well as the different types of trade flow which enable the circular economy. The lecturers will then look at the many trade barriers facing these trade flows (including definitions and classifications, technical barriers to trade, trade facilitation, capacity building and finally trade and economic agreements) and identify potential solutions to these barriers. Finally, we will conduct a deep dive into the ongoing Global Plastics Treaty negotiations to understand how circular economy and trade are integral to the success of such a treaty.

Course leader

Jack Barrie, Christophe Bellmann and Carolyn Deere Birkbeck