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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The linkage between trade and environment
- Global Trade and WTO
- Functions and core principles of the WTO
- Exceptions from the core principles in context to the environment
- Dispute settlement
- Regional Trade Agreements
- European Union
- North American Free Trade Agreement
- MERCOSUR
- Case Study: Banana Production, Trade and Environment in Costa Rica
- Environmental externalities
- Improvements
- The European Banana Regime and the Banana War
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to examine the complex relationship between trade and the environment, focusing on the impact of global trade on environmental sustainability. The essay explores the effects of trade liberalization and regional trade agreements on environmental degradation, emphasizing the need for sustainable trade practices.
- The impact of global trade on environmental degradation
- The role of trade agreements in shaping environmental outcomes
- The interplay between poverty, environmental degradation, and trade
- The potential benefits and drawbacks of trade liberalization
- The case study of banana production in Costa Rica as an example of trade's environmental implications
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter sets the stage by outlining the historical trends in global trade and environmental change over the past 50 years. It highlights the dramatic growth of international trade and its impact on the environment, particularly in terms of pollution and resource depletion. The chapter also emphasizes the growing disparity in the distribution of benefits from trade and its implications for the environment.
- The linkage between trade and environment: This chapter explores the complex relationship between trade and the environment, introducing the concept of the "general equilibrium effect" approach to analyze the interconnections between different sectors and countries. It outlines three key effects of trade on the environment: the composition effect, the scale effect, and the technique effect.
- Global Trade and WTO: This chapter examines the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its role in regulating global trade. It delves into the functions and core principles of the WTO, exploring exceptions to these principles in relation to environmental concerns. The chapter also touches upon the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism.
- Regional Trade Agreements: This chapter focuses on regional trade agreements, specifically examining the European Union (EU), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and MERCOSUR. It discusses the potential environmental impacts of these agreements and their role in shaping trade patterns.
- Case Study: Banana Production, Trade and Environment in Costa Rica: This chapter explores the banana production sector in Costa Rica as a case study of the environmental implications of trade. It examines the environmental externalities associated with banana production, including deforestation, pesticide use, and water pollution. The chapter also discusses efforts to improve environmental practices within the banana industry.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core concepts explored in this essay include global trade, environmental degradation, sustainable trade practices, trade liberalization, regional trade agreements, environmental externalities, the WTO, the EU, NAFTA, MERCOSUR, and the case study of banana production in Costa Rica.
- Quote paper
- B.Sc. Sören Noack (Author), 2004, Environment and Trade, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/140757
