The Impact of WTO Subsidy Law on Renewable Energy Transitions: Analysing the Extent to Which WTO Subsidy Disciplines Pose an Obstacle to the Use of Green Subsidies and Support Schemes in Sweden and Finland

Abstract

Through the use of Sweden and Finland as case studies, this thesis project explores the use of support schemes to meet climate ambitions and facilitate green transitions. This author analyses these Nordic support schemes against the WTO subsidy disciplines and assesses their compatibility with this international framework, examining areas of friction where potential challenges or complaints could arise. Having highlighted the difference avenues for reform to provide Sweden and Finland with greater legal certainty in their employment of renewable support schemes with regards to WTO subsidy disciplines, this article argues that the most politically feasible and legally effective routes of reform are in Article 8 revival, amendments to the countervailing mechanism and process-based reform to enhance inter-WTO dialogue on subsidies.