ABSTRACT
This chapter examines two international trade agreements that encourage, inter alia, innovation in energy technologies, across many countries. It explores what happens to energy prices, energy supply, and ultimately, what happens to carbon emission levels when many countries attempt to coordinate on energy security. The Energy Charter Treaty was originally drafted to facilitate trade in energy supplies and services. It includes within its definition of “energy materials and products” items related to nuclear energy, coal power, various petroleum resources and products, natural gas energy, electrical energy, and certain forms of charcoal. One of the organization’s primary goals is to ensure the economic viability of petroleum products and investments. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is required to stabilize prices for petroleum products and to eliminate price fluctuations to promote petroleum’s role in international markets. OPEC clearly exists to support the revenues obtained by petroleum producer nations, and as such, strongly prioritizes the ongoing and future production of petroleum.
