The United States is set to launch a new trade task force with the objective of reducing carbon emissions stemming from global commerce and manufacturing, as announced by White House senior adviser John Podesta during a conference at Columbia University in New York City. The task force’s primary focus will encompass addressing carbon leakage, carbon dumping, and emissions associated with upstream manufacturing and production.
The establishment of this task force aligns with the U.S.’s efforts to enhance the deployment of clean energy technology and manufacturing domestically, particularly in response to heightened competition from China. Podesta highlighted the impact of global trading rules, which often incentivize carbon leakage by allowing manufacturing-related emissions from nations with more stringent climate policies to shift to countries with weaker regulations.
Drawing attention to China’s significant role in global aluminum production, Podesta emphasized that the manufacturing process for an average ton of aluminum in China generates 60% more emissions than in the United States. The task force’s agenda also includes ensuring the availability of carbon emissions data to facilitate the implementation of U.S. climate and trade policies. This involves promoting standardized measurement and high standards for life cycle emissions, with a focus on fostering collaboration with the United Kingdom, Australia, the European Union, and other international partners and allies.
Podesta underscored the task force’s commitment to engaging with trade partners to develop standardized methods for measuring embodied emissions, allowing each country to leverage comparative advantages in clean manufacturing. This approach encompasses the assessment of emissions generated throughout the production and delivery of goods.