The interlocking of the world's economy and ecology presents difficult but
also bold choices. The relationship of trade and sustainable development is
perhaps the most significant. We cannot afford the costs of trade derived
through resource and environmental degradation. Nor can we ignore the
unmet social and economic needs of billions of people.
IISD has focused on the WTO because this new organization is the global
bell-wether for action on the linkages of trade, environment and
development. It is the meeting place of nations from South and North on
the key subject of wealth creation through free trade. But we know there
are important differences to be bridged. The period from the Rio Earth
Summit to Marrakesh introduced many of the necessary concepts. Since
then what has been the action?
