Trade and Environment

The relationship between trade and environment has been a topic of discussion for many years. The focus has been the implications of environmental policies on international trade. The GATT Secretariat first expressed this concern in 1971, through the document called Industrial Pollution Control and International Trade. At that time, there was fear for environmental policies to become a form of protectionism. In 1992, the importance of trade for sustainable development emerged. Environment and multilateral trade systems were linked in 1994 through the Marrakesh Agreement, placing environment within the objectives of the WTO (established 1995).

The objective of a trading system is the liberalisation of markets through regional (FTAA) or global (WTO) agreements. It is also argued that trade has a potential to be a source for financing development through trade-related income generation and foreign direct investment. This would translate into economic growth and a source...
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Campaigns

Trade and Environment
Sierra Club Canada condemns G20 violence, supports peaceful protest
29 Jun, 2010   |   OTTAWA – As an organization that encourages Canadians to protect, restore and enjoy a healthy and safe planet, Sierra Club Canada condemns the violence surrounding last weekend’s G20 summit in Toronto and supports the right to peaceful assembly. "Violence - by extremists or police officers - has no rightful place in a democratic protest environment," said Emily Rideout...
Negotiating the Climate Change Web: A Community Vision
31 May, 2010   |   Negotiating the Climate Change Web: A Community Vision is an innovative gathering, bringing together Nova Scotian stakeholders - including government, NGOs and the public - to discuss the interrelationships between trade, environment, society and climate change. It is about engaging the abilities and experience of community members to strive toward true sustainability by conceiving...
Sign the At The Table petition today!
27 May, 2010   |     From June 25 to 27, the G8 / G20 Summit will take place in Toronto and Huntsville ON. As leaders from the world’s most powerful nations converge for the meeting, groups around the world are pressing for important changes in environmental and economic policy. At The Table is an umbrella campaign mobilizing citizens around the world to "take their place" at this year's G8 and G20 summit...
New emission rules for heavy trucks in works Draft of regulations expected for late fall, will take effect with 2014 models
25 May, 2010   |   Canada is on schedule for developing new emissions standards for heavy trucks, although the draft regulations will not be ready until later this year, the environment minister said Friday. Canada and the United States both unveiled plans on Friday to set efficiency targets for heavy-duty vehicles ranging from large-sized pickup trucks to tractor trailers used in long-distance hauling. The...
Worried DRIC will kill ecosystem
25 May, 2010   |   Re: Kill DRIC bridge, green groups urge, by Dave Battagello, May 14. Sierra Club Canada, including our Ontario Chapter enters into public dialogue and legal interventions only after careful consideration of the environmental issues. In the case of the DRIC, we are concerned a valuable prairie ecosystem habitat will be destroyed and public funds could be better used for other transportation...
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