Article 7 - Green horizons – Towards more sustainable trade after the TSD Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21814/perspectivas.4566Keywords:
EU trade agreements, sustainable development, enforceability, monitoring mechanisms, civil societyAbstract
All eyes are on the European Commission following the communication on a new approach to Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) Chapters in EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The focal point of EU trade policy recently shifted back towards bilateral trade agreements with a greater scrutiny on the sustainability objectives embedded in the TSD Chapters such as tackling global emergencies including the climate crisis, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. But what does this new approach entail, and how effective will it be at improving the monitoring and enforceability of the TSD Chapters? This article reviews the new TSD Chapter approach and assesses its overall objective to address sustainability concerns linked to international trade. The article discusses missed opportunities for enhancing sustainability in EU trade agreements and reflects what the new TSD approach could mean for newly concluded and ongoing trade agreements.
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