ABSTRACT
This chapter examines various national and global approaches to assessment of trade liberalisation to support policy making that promotes sustainable development. It also examines some of the definitions and objectives of sustainability assessments. The chapter reviews major national and international efforts to undertake assessments of trade agreements in an effort to promote more integrated policy making. Environmental or sustainability assessment of trade liberalisation is on the agenda of a number of international organisations as well as of a number of national governments. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has been working on issues of assessment since June 1993 when it developed procedural guidelines for integrating trade and environment policies intended to help governments in the development and implementation of policies where trade and environment meet. Sustainability assessments hold out great promise for sound domestic policy making and international action that are integrated, transparent, and participatory, and support sustainable development.
