Propagation and Justification of EU Sustainable Finance Measures through GATS and International Organizations

This chapter examines proactive policy approaches, which the EU can and does use in the realm of international law and international relations to foster the development of Sustainable Finance. To this end, this chapter will examine the propagation of EU Sustainable Finance through the EU’s engagement in international organizations. This includes a brief assessment of the EU’s influence on international macro-political agendas on sustainability targets and its commitment in turning these macro-political agendas into policy on Sustainable Finance at the international level through multiple international fora. To better understand the impact and options for the EU to spread and protect EU Sustainable Finance policy and regulation, this chapter further explores current multilateral negotiations such as on the Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), the services domestic regulation negotiations, and potential future additions to the GATS text to that end. Subsequently, unilateral action such as recognition or the modification of a WTO Member’s commitments, and a potential future TBT Agreement for trade in services will be assessed as feasible instruments for propagation and justification of EU Sustainable Finance policy.