Trade, Environment, and the WTO : The Post-Seattle Agenda

by Sampson, Gary P.; Pronk, Jan

• ISBN13: 9781565170292
• ISBN10: 1565170296
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-04-17
• Publisher: Johns Hopkins Univ Pr

Summary

What role should international trade rules and the World Trade Organization (WTO) play in the protection of the environment? While many environmentalists argue that trade rules and procedures must be made more "green," many trade proponents fear that the international trading system will be undermined by extreme demands of environmentalists. In this essay, Gary Sampson scrutinizes these contending views and assesses the effects of trade liberalization on the environment; the role of the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism; the potential impact of WTO rules, including those dealing with production processes; and the relationship that should exist between the WTO and specific multilateral environmental agreements. In his discussion of these issues, Sampson puts forward a priority agenda for trade and environmental ministers and proposes ways to enhance the WTO's environmental protection role and strengthen the trading system at the same time.

Author Biography

Gary Sampson is currently on leave from the WTO's division on trade and the environment.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Acknowledgments	xi
The Debate on Trade and the Environment: Challenges and Opportunities	1	(10)
Environmentalists and the WTO	2	(1)
Developing Country Concerns	3	(1)
Window of Opportunity	3	(1)
Objectives and Outline	4	(7)
The WTO in a Changing World	11	(24)
Democracy and Inclusion	12	(3)
Trade Policy and the Environment: Sources of Conflict	15	(7)
Multilateral Trade Rules and Multilateral Environment Rules	22	(4)
The Committee on Trade and Environment	26	(3)
Prioritizing Reforms	29	(6)
Transparency and Public Access	35	(14)
Chief Criticisms	36	(2)
Knowledge of the WTO and Its Activities	38	(1)
WTO Relations with Other Groups and Institutions	39	(5)
Nongovernment Organizations	39	(4)
Intergovernmental Organizations	43	(1)
Access to Documents	44	(1)
The Dispute Settlement Process	45	(4)
Trade Liberalization and the Environment	49	(14)
Win-Win Scenarios	50	(3)
Priority Sectors	53	(10)
Fisheries	53	(1)
Agriculture	54	(2)
Forest Products	56	(1)
Energy	57	(1)
Environmental Goods and Services	58	(1)
Some Caveats	59	(4)
Trade and Environmental Standards	63	(18)
Increasing Importance of Standards	64	(2)
Managing Risk	66	(2)
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures	68	(3)
Technical Barriers to Trade	71	(3)
Products, Processes, and Labels	74	(7)
Multilateral Environmental Agreements	81	(22)
Differing Rules and Objectives	82	(2)
Climate Change Measures and the WTO	84	(9)
Reconciling MEAs and Trade Rules	93	(10)
Settling Disputes	103	(18)
A Powerful Mechanism	104	(1)
The Dispute Settlement Process	105	(1)
DeFacto Rule-Making	106	(6)
Amicus Briefs	112	(2)
Preserving the System?	114	(2)
Transparency	116	(5)
Policy Recommendations	121	(22)
The Politics of WTO Reform	122	(2)
Interests of Developing Countries	124	(1)
Consultation with Civil Society	125	(1)
Transparency	126	(2)
Public Access	128	(1)
Cooperation with Other International Organizations	129	(1)
Role of the CTE in Liberalization Negotiations	130	(2)
The CTE and Sustainable Development	132	(1)
Standards and Labeling	133	(2)
Multilateral Environmental Agreements	135	(2)
Dispute Settlement	137	(2)
Special Review Groups	139	(1)
The WTO and Global Governance	140	(3)
Appendix. Trade-Related Environmental Disputes	143	(9)
About the Author	152	(1)
About the ODC	153	(1)
Board of Directors	154