„Comertul si mediul” – o problemă complexă dezvoltării sustenabile

Abstract

This paper talks about the link between the two components of the binomial: trade-environment since the late `70s to the present. Therefore, the aim of this research is to explain, from a diachronic perspective, in which conditions the above relationship can contribute to economic growth, in particular, and to development in general, of less advanced nations. First, we present briefly, the positive and/or critical view of literature on the relationship between trade and environment in the last four decades. Then, we define and integrate the concept of sustainable development in the context of this binomial. Moreover, there is a description of the importance of environmental component in the GATT, later in WTO, focusing on the Fourth Ministerial Conference – the launching of the Doha Round. To conclude, we propose to define the key aspects of the binomial trade-environment, with emphasis on Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and their significance for the less advanced and developing countries.