The global
market has experienced an unprecedented increase in cross-border trading,
culminating in substantial economic growth for numerous nations. However, this
extensive process of economic integration has cast a shadow on various
associated domains. Trading activities, intricately linked to the environment
due to their reliance on natural resources for production, have indisputably
left their mark on global environmental conditions. International trade and
environmental preservation, as distinct disciplines, operate under separate
sets of laws and regulations. Environmental laws encompass multilateral
environmental agreements, and regional and national regulations, while trading
activities are governed by the multilateral agreements of the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and bilateral agreements. The integration of international
trade with environmental measures has become a contentious subject. Proponents
of trade argue that it facilitates global access to environment-friendly goods
and technologies, thereby facilitating the maintenance of high environmental
standards. In contrast, environmentalists contend that international trade laws
and practices often impede the governmental efforts to implement regulatory
measures aimed at pollution prevention and environmental restoration. The WTO
has faced criticism for its perceived inaction in addressing environmental
concerns ensuing from trade, despite acknowledging environmental protection as
an objective in the preamble of the Marrakesh Agreement. The global discourse
on environmental protection has intensified, seeking to accord environmental
issues the same weight as trade disputes. This article endeavours to delve into
the multifaceted interactions between international trade and environmental
protection, scrutinizing their regulatory mechanisms while highlighting the
underlying grounds for the disputes that arise between these two realms.