could not ban imports of shrimp only because of the environmental harm caused by it due to certain

procedures involved. It is common knowledge that until a few years back economy and monetary
benefit were preferred over the environment since the general attitude towards the environmental
implication of free trade and globalization was not serious. As a result, we have witnessed alarming
international environmental issues, like ozone depletion, global climate change. It is evident that
during those times international trade compelled countries to lower environmental standards which
is widely criticised now, and we often witness environment case laws wherein economic and
financial gain are given less importance than the environment like in the Dupont case.

However, now things have changed and the general public as well as the government are gravitated
towards the concerned environmental impact of all activities primarily concerning production,
infrastructure and trade. A recent development in international trade aims to ensure minimal harm
to the environment is the introduction of Environmental tariffs which are employed against trading
partners that are deemed to propel inadequate environmental standards. This highlights that it is
only when the masses collectively bring forth a shift in their attitudes and perception about the
active threat to the environment that one would unearth a balance between human development
and preservation of the environment and its resources. After seeing the adversities of the weather
changes due to climate change now people across the world recognise it as not only an
environmental issue but also a development and survival issue. This recent perception and
knowledge have led to people rallying for being more sensitive about the environment, albeit only
for selfish reasons – survival. Developed countries are in favour of linking trade policies to climate
change policies whereas other nations are not in favour since it involves other issues like increased
economic competitiveness and Intellectual Property Rights.

International Treaties and their effects on International Trade and Environment

The Kyoto Protocol, 2005 and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 1994 are
international treaties that were enacted for the protection and preservation of the environment.
Perhaps, they do not delve into the problems which stem from unscrupulous trading policies or even
laws that are harming the environment in wake of several economic benefits. Instead, it is left to the
different nations to take steps deemed necessary, appropriate and less harming for international
trade to protect the environment.

The UNFCCC safeguards against trade protectionism like Article 3.5 of the 1994 Convention clearly
stated that International Trade could not be hindered arbitrarily meaning thereby restrictions
imposed on trade should be necessary and nations should not use environmental issues like climate
change for political reasons to ban trade. This article specifically protects the interests of developing
nations. The Paris Agreement has indirect trade and investment implications as it helps to
successfully implement Nationally Determined Contributions NDCs. Also, this provides new
opportunities for the global green economy through trade liberalization.