Trade, Environment, and Sustainable Development: A Primer

Free trade policy and environmental policy are often at odds. Experts on both sides, however, are beginning to realize that sustainable development is the best hope for long-term international economic prosperity. Given the environmental crisis the world is facing, both sides must work to reconcile the legal relationship between trade agreements and environmental agreements if sustainable development is to be achieved and maintained. Accordingly, this Article surveys trade agreements, including the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and environmental agreements for possible conflicts.

The Article concludes with a brief discussion of options for reducing or eliminating such conflicts.