Trade negotiations are a topic of growing importance, and the popularity of
bilateral and regional trade deals as an alternative to slow negotiations at the
World Trade Organization (WTO) is growing. But so is the anti-free trade sentiment
among environmental and social-justice associations. Today, an important
question is how free trade can be designed in a sustainable way.
Based on the theoretical concept of two-level diplomacy, Astrid Fritz Carrapatoso
analyzes whether domestic consultations help to further integrate
trade-related environmental issues into trade agreements. Because the domestic
dimension of international negotiations is often neglected, this study
focuses on consultation procedures between the government and interest
groups. Determinants for the integration of environmental aspects into trade
agreements can thus be worked out. The book is aimed at scholars and students
in the field of social sciences, economics, environmental studies, journalists
interested in global and regional trade issues as well as environmental
themes, politicians dealing with trade and environment issues and NGOs and
other interest groups working in the environmental and/or trade sector.