Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) are increasingly used for addressing sustainable development goals by including provisions on climate change and sustainable energy. This paper examines that trend and presents an overview of different categories of such provisions in a broad sample of recent RTAs, identifying current regulatory challenges and highlighting obstacles in addressing climate change. It appeals to the necessity of securing flexibility for regulators in targeting new climate threats and the need for cooperation to implement international and national objectives in the efforts to enhance low-carbon technologies. After a preliminary assessment of the potential legal effects of the provisions, the authors make recommendations intended to optimize the potential of promoting the development of a sustainable low-carbon economy through trade agreements.
