Reconciling Trade and the Environment: Lessons from Case Studies in Developing Countries

The link between trade and the environment has focused on two broad issues: how changing trade regimes have affected the environment and how stricter environmental regulations have affected trade. The answers are of particular importance to developing and transition countries where the relationship between trade and the environment has a major impact.

This unique book, based on eleven case studies undertaken by research institutes in developing countries with the support of UNCTAD and UNDP, provides detailed empirical evidence from Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, The Philippines, Poland, Thailand, Turkey and Zimbabwe. The central questions addressed are:

• has the international programme of trade liberalization affected the environment negatively?
• are stricter environmental regulations in both developed and developing countries having an effect on exports and imports and how can these effects be addressed?
• what impacts, if any, result from differences in environmental standards between richer and poorer countries?
• what impacts have multilateral environmental agreements had on trade flows between developed and developing countries
• what impacts are firms' voluntary measures to protect the environment having on the export flows from developing and transition countries?

The book provides a wealth of information and shows a wide difference of outcomes from country to country, allowing the authors to draw an interesting set of conclusions. It will be useful for students and researchers in environmental and international economics and will be essential reading for policymakers in government and non-governmental organizations.

Veena Jha, CEO, Ikdhvaj Advisers LLP, India, Anil Markandya, Basque Centre for Climate Change, Spain and Honorary Professor, University of Bath, UK and René Vossenaar, formerly Chief, Trade, Environment and Development Section, UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland