Postgraduate coursework

LAWS6820 - International Trade & The Environment

Objectives

Examine the sources of tension between the law and policy aspects of the international trade liberalisation regime, environmental protection and ecologically sustainable development.
Examine the obligations imposed by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) framework and the scope and operation of environmental exceptions that have been considered in recent trade environment disputes.
Critically assess the prospects for future harmonisation of global free trade regimes in the context of the Australian debate on these issues.

Content

The Agreements on Food Safety Standards; Technical Barriers to Trade; the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the rights and duties created by the Convention on Biodiversity are also discussed. The unit contrasts the WTO regime with that implemented by regional trade groups such as the European Union, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NA FTA) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) and attempts some evaluation of their relative strengths in promoting ESD.

Session

Semester 2 Intensive
28-29 August & 1-2 September 2009

The timetable is subject to frequent changes. Please refer to the latest version of the Postgraduate Timetable.

Assessment

1 x 6,000 Word Essay (60%)
1 x Problem Assignment (40%)

Courses this unit is available in

Sydney Law School