NLUO: International Conference On Role Of International Trade In Global Energy Transition [September 20-21, 2025]

The National Law University Odisha (NLUO) was established in 2009 by Act IV of 2008 of the State of Odisha. The University is located in the city of Cuttack, where the seat of Orissa High Court is also situated. The Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court is the Chancellor of the University, and the Chief Justice of India, or their nominee among the Supreme Court Judges, is the Visitor of the University. The University is recognised under Section 12(b) of the UGC Act 1956 and is accredited by NAAC. The University has been consistently ranked high by different ranking agencies. The University offers five-year integrated B.A.LL.B. (Hons.)/B.B.A.LL.B (Hons.) degree programme and a three-year LL.B. programme at the undergraduate level, Master of Laws (LL.M.) and PhD program at the postgraduate level. It also offers B.A. Law programme at the undergraduate level.

NLUO Centre for International Trade Law (CITL) was established in 2015. Since then, the Centre is consistently working on international trade and international investment law. The Centre has published research on current issues relating to trade. In nine years CITL has published 4 books. It is working on edited versions of WTO Appellate Body Reports as Guide to WTO Appellate Body Reports which is first of its kind publication. Two volumes have already been published. The Centre is working on the other two volumes which will cover all cases decided by the Appellate Body upto 2018. CITL's latest publication Women and Trade: The Indian Context published in 2024.

About The Conference

The issue of trade and the environment is being discussed since many years. Some writers have stated that increased trade leads to economic development, which in turn increases the capacity of people to care for the environment and spend on environmentally friendly products and services. On the other hand, critics contend that an increase in trade leads to an increase in production, transportation, and consumption, which has a damaging effect on the environment and is responsible for climate change.

The economic basis of liberal trade policy is the idea of comparative advantage. Comparative advantage leads to abundance in production, which encourages increased consumption. Traditionally, the idea of ecological balance is based on self-restraint and consideration for the life and finite resources on the planet Earth. Therefore, theoretically, liberal trade and ecological balance have opposite objectives. That is why conservation policies have been mentioned as an exception to WTO requirements under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The challenge, therefore, is to increase compatibility between the two policies.

Consumption of energy resources increases with the increase in trade. The increase in production and transportation results in increased consumption of energy.The world has started a transition towards green energy resources, but fossil fuels are the main source of energy generation. Can trade policies help in the energy transition? The Conference is being organised to discuss this issue.

Themes For The Conference

1. International trade and its impact on energy consumption and conservation

2. Foreign investment in renewable energy

3. Market access to clean energy products and services

4. Technical regulations affecting energy trade and energy transition

5. Development of national industry for energy transition and WTO norms

6. International treaties on energy and their compatibility with the WTO

7. Trade Policy Review Mechanism and Aid for Trade to encourage the use of clean energy in international trade

8. The advocacy role of WTO and coordination between WTO, International Energy Agency, World Energy Council, and International Renewable Energy Agency.

Guidelines For Abstract Submission

Original research papers on the conference topic are invited for presentation at the conference. The themes given above are only indicative. Papers may be between 5000-8000 words. Papers are invited from academicians, researchers, environmental activists, policymakers, lawyers, environmental scientists, social scientists, students, and others. All papers presented in the conference may be submitted for publication in the edited volume published after the conference.

1. The abstract must be in English. The word limit for the abstract is 300 words

2. Abstracts should clearly mention the title of the proposed paper, the central idea of the paper and the research method to be applied in brief.

3. All submissions must be original. If you want your submission to be considered for publication in the edited volume of the Centre, kindly ensure that it is not being considered for another publication simultaneously.

4. Every abstract must be accompanied by a cover page containing the name, affiliation, and contact details of the author(s). If there is more than one author, details of co-authors should also be mentioned.

5. Submit the abstract in the Google forms available at the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4-p0aui9xSUNcioOVfTcVivhymsQCuqvdDVVl16DLI8YY_w/viewform?usp=sf_link

Guidelines For Submitting The Papers And Presentation

1. After abstracts are accepted for the conference, a Google form link will be sent for registration and submission of papers. Papers accepted for the conference may be submitted using the Google form link.

2. The paper must be original and free from plagiarism.

3. It should be in English.

4. The length of the full paper, including tables, diagrams, illustrations, references, etc., should be between 5000 to 8000 words.

5. It should be accompanied by a cover page containing the name of the author(s), affiliation, and contact details.

6. The paper should be in (.doc) or (.docx) format.

7. The font should be Times New Roman 12-point font with 1.5 line spacing.

8. Footnotes should be in Times New Roman 10-point font with single-line spacing.

9. Authors should follow a uniform style of citation throughout the paper. Specific citation style for accepted papers will be communicated later depending on the style of the publisher that will publish the edited volume.

Authors will get about 15 minutes to present their paper. Any number of authors can present the paper at the conference within the same duration.

Registration Fees

1. After notification for acceptance of abstracts, a link will be shared for registration and submission of the registration fee.

2. Registration fee for Indian authors -Rs. 5000/- If more than one author Rs. 5000/- for each additional author.

3. For participation without paper presentation Rs. 3000/- per person.

4. Registration fee for foreign authors- US $ 200/ for one author. If more than one author US$ 200 for each additional author.

5. Tea and lunch at the conference venue are covered by the registration fee.

IMPORTANT DATES

Sheela Rai Professor of Law, Director NLUO Centre for International Trade Law| sheelarai@nluo.ac.in