Presents a discussion of environmental principles and concepts . In addition to defining and explaining the main environmental principles and concepts, this paper makes preliminary observations as to their relevance in the trade and environment context. International environmental law has developed more unevenly through a number of international agreements and treaties, and there is no single institution which administers this law. Environmental principles and concepts vary widely in their degree of acceptance and most are still evolving. Principles have emerged which have been qualified as soft law, as they are not legally binding and their judicial value still remains uncertain. Indeed, many of the principles and concepts referred to in this paper, such as “the user pays principle”, “risk management” or “life-cycle assessment” are rather economic or scientific principles or concepts which have been used or referred to in international agreements, but have no independant legal status. This paper attempts to describe the main environmental principles and concepts, and to clarify their legal status when relevant. [author]
Companion to OECD paper “Trade Principles and Concepts”