RESOURCES
ACCOMMODATING MEAs IN TRADE AGREEMENTS. By Kevin Gray (IDDRI, 2004). This paper examines different methods to accommodate multilateral environmental agreements in international trade agreements. Several options are discussed with the overall conclusion being that they all have merits and are best used in the context of the actual agreement and are suitable to the characteristics of the parties. In addition, a combination of the various approaches may be needed in light of the negotiating circumstances. The paper is available Online.
LIMITS TO GROWTH: THE 30-YEAR UPDATE. By Dennis Meadows, Donella Meadows and Jorgen Randers (Earthscan, November 2004). In 1972, Limits to Growth shocked the world and forever changed the global agenda by demonstrating that unchecked growth on our finite planet was leading the Earth towards ecological overshoot and pending disaster. This substantially revised, expanded and updated edition follows on from Limits to Growth and its sequel Beyond the Limits. Marshalling a vast array of new, hard data, more powerful computer modelling and incorporating the latest thinking on sustainability, ecological footprinting and limits, this book presents future overshoot scenarios and makes an even more urgent case for a rapid readjustment of the global economy toward a sustainable path. For further information visit Internet.
ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE MEDICINES: DEVELOPING RESPONSES UNDER THE TRIPS AGREEMENT AND EC LAW. By Katharina Gamharter (Springer, 2004). To ensure access to affordable medicines, particularly in developing countries, is one of the great challenges the international community faces. At the 2001 Doha Ministerial Conference, the Declaration on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement and Public Health was adopted. In its aftermath, new legal instruments were developed both at WTO and EC level. While the focus at the WTO lay on how countries with insufficient or no manufacturing capacity for pharmaceuticals could make effective use of compulsory licensing, the EC adopted a regulation to promote differential pricing for needed medicines. The author provides a comprehensive analysis of these developments and highlights contrasts and interlinkages between the pursued strategies. For further information visit Internet.
EXPLORING THE LINKS: HUMAN WELL-BEING, POVERTY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES. By the International Institute for Sustainable Development (2004). This book sets out to: demonstrate how human well-being is dependent upon ecosystems and ecosystem services; identify barriers and drivers that prevent the poor from using these ecosystem services to improve their well-being, in essence perpetuating poverty; and identify policy response options to remove the barriers, re-design or even introduce new intervention strategies to allow the poor to improve their well-being through an ecosystem approach. For further information visit Internet.
GMOS AND BIOSAFETY: A BACKGROUND PAPER FOR DECISION-MAKERS AND OTHERS TO ASSIST IN CONSIDERATION OF GMO ISSUES. By the World Conservation Union - IUCN (August 2004). Prepared by the IUCN Environmental Law Centre, with Tomme Young as the lead author and contributions from many others, this paper was commissioned by IUCN’s Director General and Council as a response to a call from the second World Conservation Congress held in October 2000, in Amman, Jordan. It reviews the controversy surrounding GMOs, including scientific, economic, policy, and socio-cultural issues, as well as crosscutting principles and the institutional framework. It also includes a series of recommendations on responsible decision-making regarding biosafety and GMOs. To access the paper visit Internet.
Electronic Resources
INVESTMENT TREATY ARBITRATION (ITA) RESOURCE WEBISTE. A new ITA website has been launched on investment treaty disputes. The site serves as a resource for lawyers, academics, government officials, researchers and members of civil society who are interested in international investment law. ITA provides: access to all publicly available investment treaty awards; information and resources relating to investment treaties and investment treaty arbitration; and links to further resources. Visit the website Online.