World Trade Organization and Its Roles in Environmental Protection

Authors

  • Wilasinee Wadeesirisak Independent Scholar
  • Nisachon Prommarin School of Political and Social Sciences, University of Phayao

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61462/cujss.v53i1.1463

Keywords:

International Political Economy, Trade and Environment, World Trade Organization

Abstract

This research is qualitative research which is aimed at examining: (a) the environmental measures of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in protecting and preserving the environment, (b) the impact of the WTO’s environmental measures on international trade, and (c) the success of the WTO in implementing its goal to integrate international trade and environmental protection.

The research findings are as follows: (a) the environmental measures under the WTO seeking both to protect and preserve the environment comprise three mechanisms: the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE), the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) adjudicating disputes on trade and environment, and several WTO trade-related agreements aimed at protecting the environment; (b) CTE is a forum for member states to exchange their thoughts and experiences on the topic of trade and environment. The DSB’s rulings concerning environmental disputes have triggered the developed countries to adopt novel environment-related trade regulations which have impacted on exporting countries, and those WTO trade-related agreements have enabled the developed member states to employ them as a tool to impose trade barriers; and (c) the WTO has not yet achieved its goal of the promotion of international trade in accordance with environmental protection, as stated in its founding charter, but these attempts are not considered as a failure. Although the environmental measures under the WTO are regarded as ineffective, the existing mechanisms explicitly demonstrate a concrete series of actions in pursuit of the goal.

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Author Biography

Wilasinee Wadeesirisak, Independent Scholar

A Former Assistant Professor, School of Political and Social Sciences, University of Phayao

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Published

15-06-2023

How to Cite

Wadeesirisak, Wilasinee, and Nisachon Prommarin. 2023. “World Trade Organization and Its Roles in Environmental Protection”. Chulalongkorn University Journal of Social Sciences 53 (1). Bangkok, Thailand:18-48. https://doi.org/10.61462/cujss.v53i1.1463.

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 1 (2023): January - June

Section

Research Articles

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