 Regional Integration
| MERCOSUR |
In 1994, the Common Market Group (GMC) created, through GMC Resolution 22/92, the Special meeting on the Environment (Reunión Especializada del Medioambiente – REMA). GMC Resolution 62/93 tasked the REMA to develop a timetable for the elimination of nontariff barriers related to the environment. The REMA established the “Basic Directives for Environmental Policy” (GMC Resolution 10/94). The 1995 Declaración de Taranco  (Res 20/05) institutionalized the REMA as MERCOSUR Sub-working group 6, Environment, tasked to examine environmental issues common to the MERCOSUR countries. In addition, Resolution 05/93 created a Commission on the Environment, which was to compare national legislation on the environment and to examine cooperation projects. Following CMC Decision 19/03, Environment ministers from MERCOSUR countries hold regular meetings. In 2003 they issued a declaration on the principles of clean production.
In 2001, MERCOSUR representatives approved, through CMC Decision 02/01, the MERCOSUR Framework Agreement on Environment in which members underlined their support of the principles elaborated in the 1992 Rio Declaration. CMC Decision 14/04 promulgates the Additional Protocol to the Framework Agreement on the Environment to guide cooperation projects and assistance in the case of environmental emergencies. |
| Andean Community |
The Andean Community has issued a series of Andean Community Decisions on the environment and sustainable development. The Andean Community countries work together to develop an Andean Environmental Agenda. The most recent one is la Agenda Ambiental Andina 2011-2015. |
| CARICOM |
Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas: Article 58: “1. The Community shall adopt effective measures to assist member States in the management of their natural resources in support of the transformation and sustainable development in the agricultural sector.2. Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 1 and to obligations of Member States under existing international agreements, the Community shall adopt measures for:…(b) the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources of the Member States, especially those of important medicinal and traditional value.” |
| Central American Integration System (SICA) |
The Central American Social Integration Treaty (San Salvador Treaty)  lists respect for natural resources as one of its principles. |
Free Trade Agreements
Trade Agreements that
contain provisions related to environmental issues
|
Obligation |
Ref. to MEAs |
Dispute Settlement |
| Canada-Chile |
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, REP, MON |
Canada-Colombia
|
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
REP |
| Canada-Costa Rica |
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, CIT |
| Canada-Peru |
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CONS , CIT |
| CARIFORUM-European Union |
C, CP, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, REP |
Central America-Panama
|
No |
Yes |
No |
|
CP |
No |
No |
|
CP |
No |
No |
Chile-Colombia |
C,CP, W |
Yes |
CON |
|
CP |
No |
No |
Chile-Mexico |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
CP |
No |
No |
|
C, CP, PG, R, W |
Yes |
DS, CONS, REP, MON** |
|
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, CIT, REP, MON** |
|
W |
Yes |
DS, CON |
Guatemala-Taiwan |
W |
Yes |
DS, CON |
|
W |
Yes |
DS, CON |
|
CP |
Yes |
No |
|
CP, W |
No |
CON |
Mexico-Nicaragua |
W |
Yes |
CON |
Mexico-Northern Triangle |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
C, CP, PG, |
Yes |
DS, CON, REP, MON, AV |
|
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, REP, MON, AV |
|
W |
No |
CONS |
|
CP |
No |
No |
|
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, CIT, REP, MON, AV |
|
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, REP, MON |
| United States-Bahrain |
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, REP, MON |
| United States-Jordan |
C, CP, W |
No |
DS, CON, REP, AV |
| United States-Morocco |
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, REP, MON |
| United States-Oman |
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, REP, MON |
| United States-Singapore |
C, CP, PG, W |
Yes |
DS, CON, REP, MON |
Obligations:
C: compliance with national laws
CP: cooperation
PG: procedural guarantees
R: rejection of the use of environmental standards for protectionist purposes
W: rejection of the lowering of environmental standards to advantage domestic production to attract investment
Dispute Settlement:
DS: access to a dispute settlement mechanism (for the obligation to effectively enforce national environmental laws)
CON: consultations available
CIT: citizen submission mechanism
REP: possibility of independent panel reports
MON: possibility of monetary penalty
AV: possibility of trade sanctions
|
