Guised in Green: Uncloaking the Myth of World Trade Organizationâs Trade-Environment Harmony

Chatterjee Chatterjee

doi:10.3844/ajebasp.2009.243.250

Abstract

Problem statement: Over the past decade the World Trade Organization (WTO) has devoted considerable attention to the implementation of policies that work on the interplay of trade and environment by identifying several Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs) that have provisions for trade so that trade liberalization and environmental protection interact positively. However, the strategy of the WTO to bring trade and environment into harmony is only a mirage. Approach: This study delved into the conflicts between trade measures in MEAs and WTO rules and how WTO's strategy to control trade in order to protect and preserve the environment is just a myth. Results: Through this study, we uncloaked the myths about sustainable development that WTO and MEAs together claim to bring about and delineate how the WTO is primarily a trading organization and has no specific agreement on environment. The study, therefore, shows how the 'greening of the WTO' has only just been a fallacy and how a difference can be made by introducing clarity in the provisions of the MEAs. Conclusion: The findings suggested that both trade and environment are extremely imperative to the concept of development and it is a verity that one cannot be sacrificed for the other since both are equally important for the common cause of social welfare.

Highlights

Part I: The twin notions of trade and environment, though considered to be the epicenters of the globalization debate, are in constant dissonance with each other
The Doha Declaration of 2001 was a breakthrough in more ways than one. It provided a platform for the commencement for a fresh round of negotiations in the ongoing multilateral trade area; it strengthened the resolve of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to protect the environment while engaging the trade liberalization (The Preamble to the Doha Declaration reaffirmed the commitment of the parties to the objective of sustainable development as stated in the Preamble of the Agreement Establishing the WTO (‘Marrakesh Agreement’)
The Doha Declaration in 2001 redefined the relationship between the WTO and the multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)

Summary

Introduction

Part I: The twin notions of trade and environment, though considered to be the epicenters of the globalization debate, are in constant dissonance with each other. Environment Programme and increased impetus to trade, environment and sustainable development agree on certain Multilateral Environmental linkage in its four programme areas: Agreements (MEAs) such as the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

Results

Conclusion