The Legal Inter-Linkages: Trade: Environment: Development

Abstract

Problem statement: Multilateral trade agreements or the world trade organization rules-can trade and environmental laws be in harmony? Approach: The main aim of the research is to find out whether there is any pathway or solution to the disputes that arises when a country trades certain specific goods which poses a threat to the world at large. Our main focus lies in the fact that does the dispute resolution mechanism serves its duty well. Results: Trade in everything implies an environmental impact of some sort or the other. One of the central issues of the debate is the difficult relationship between Trade Related Environmental Measures (hereinafter 'TREMs') in Multilateral Environmental Agreements (hereinafter 'MEAs') and World Trade Organization (WTO) norms. Conclusion: The international community must find a way to balance environmental and trade interests. Development and the environment are invariably related to each other. Hence an essential and grave problem is to maintain harmony between development and the environment. Hence the central aim of this paper is to find out whether international law has any answers regarding the overlapping boundaries of trade and environment. In future "Best efforts" can be taken to equate to the diplomatic negotiation of a settlement by the parties to the dispute.