Publisher's Synopsis
The connection between trade and the environment gives rise to a set of issues that is relatively new and still controversial. The concern of environmentalists is that liberalised trade will lead to an increase in products that are harmful to the environment. Those who promote freer trade, on the other hand, are concerned that environmental issues will provide a pretext for protectionism and form trade barriers. This is significant as trade is seen by Asia as an engine of growth. It is part of the formula pioneered by "Asian Dragons" in pursuing export-oriented industrialisation and now adopted by other, larger Asian countries. Asia ,too, is facing considerable environmental stress in development. Ultimately, as recognised by the 1992 Earth Summit, the issues of trade and the environment are part of the challenges in seeking sustainable development. These issues came into focus as the World Trade Organisation met in Singapore in December 1996, when the WTO committee on trade and the environment delivered its first report. Increasingly, trade and the environment will need to be considered in the context of other regional initiatives such as Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation area (APEC), ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and Asia's reinvigorated ties with Europe after the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). As economic integration deepens, concern with environmental issues will rise on the agenda. This book brings together essays by leading academics and policy makers from different disciplines and different sectors. Just as importantly, the three major trading regions of the world are equally represented: Asia, Europe and North America.
