This book examines the recent controversy between international trade and environmental policies. It analyses the use of environmentally-motivated trade policies, national environmental policies, and their relationships with the rules governing trade, critically examining proposals rule reform. A theoretical framework is provided for a consideration of the efficiency of environmental trade policies and an evaluation made of empirical links between environmental policy differences and trade flows. Concerns of developing countries over environmentally-motivated market access restrictions are highlighted in considering international trade rules and the agreements reached at UNCED.
Seminar paper from the year 2018 in the subject Economics - Foreign Trade Theory, Trade Policy, grade: 1, , language: English, abstract: This paper looks into the effects the international trade has on the environment. Trade and environment is one of the most debated topics in management and economics studies over the years because of the increasing concerns on how international trade affects environment and vice versa. That said, the debate on trade and environment is not new, and it emerged in the early 1970s with concerns such as environmental protection, environmental policies on trade, and the impact on trade on environment. Most of the developed economies expressed interests on environmental degradation linked with the globalization process for instance, industrial pollution. In the 1980s, environmental concerns increased as more complex environmental issues were raised such as the climate change and the depletion of the ozone layer. Later in the 1990s, the sustainable development concept was introduced as trade liberalization and the globalization process accelerated. Several theories in support of international trade such as the economic theory has rendered the debate complex as the proponents of the economic theory argue that international trade is vital to economies because it results into a robust economic growth and also generates greater wellbeing of its citizens. That said, environmental policies and goals have been difficult to achieve during these debates. Diverse arguments exist about international trade with a few ecologists in favour of environmental protection as they argue that international trade has resulted into environmental depletion as the demand of world natural resources continue to increase. Of the two perspectives, there is an intermediate concept which has been proposed, the sustainable development which means that as international trade results into economic growth, this growth must be accompanied by environmental policies and strict environmental protection rules. Some of the defenders of sustainable development have supported free trade but with the inclusion of restrictions in multilateral negotiations so as to control the degradation of natural resources.
QUOTEWe live in an increasingly interconnected world. Trade flows worldwide are growing rapidly and global production patterns are shifting as countries follow their comparative advantage in production via trade. At the same time, however, there is growing concern about potential adverse environmental impacts from increasing trade.QUOTE--John A. Dixon, Lead Economist, The Environment Department, World BankInterest in the trade and environment debate has intensified as a result of international trade agreements and because many proposed solutions to the climate change problem have potential implications for the global trading system. Clearly more empirical work is needed to inform the debate, guide policymakers toward solutions, and help set priorities.This volume is an attempt to further our understanding of the empirical links between trade and the environment. Thirteen chapters, which were presented as papers at a World Bank conference in April 1998, focus on three main themes:1. Effects of trade liberalization and growth on the environment2. The QUOTEpollution havenQUOTE hypothesis3. Economic instruments for resolving global environmental problemsThe papers address a number of different issues within each of the themes, offering new data or new questions and approaches. They are devoted to deepening our understanding and empirical knowledge of the various effects of trade liberalization. Only through a firm understanding of the linkages involved can well-founded policy advice be formulated.
Reference tool to facilitate broader understanding and awareness of relationship between environment and trade which can then become the basis on which fair and environmentally sustainable policies and trade flows are built.
Essay from the year 2004 in the subject Environmental Sciences, grade: 1,3, Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus (Lehrstuhl für VWL, inbesondere Umweltökonomie), course: Environmental Economics, language: English, abstract: Trade and environment form a complex relationship. Current trade regulations, though addressing environmental issues, do not lead automatically to effective environmental protection. This paper examines the role of environmental aspects in global and regional trade agreements like WTO, EU, NAFTA and Mercosur. The complex patterns of global trade and its influence on our environment are presented in detail by a case study on banana production in Costa Rica and the "Banana War" between the European Union and USA.
A discussion on the future of trade, investment and the environment. It sets out the trade, investment and environment agenda in the run-up to the Millennium Round of trade negotiations. Topics covered include: building markets for sustainable trade; environmental regulation; finance and transnational corporations; environmental regulation and international investment; and conflict resolution in the World Trade Organization. The contributors include Renato Ruggiero (WTO Director General), Brian Wilson MP (UK Trade Minister), and John Gummer MP (former UK Secretary of State for the Environment).
