New Integration of Environment and Economic Law

Traditionally, international environmental protection and international economic law have been treated separately. The focus has been on controlling specific pollutants or conserving particular species as ends in themselves. In the new model, the focus is on ecosystems conservation, pollution prevention, and a precautionary approach, not only as environmental goods but as integral to sustainable development.

In the quest for environmentally sustainable development, the focus will likely be on considering
environmental concerns at the front end of the industrializing process, so as to prevent pollution,
minimize environmental degradation, and use resources more efficiently. This should mean increasing concern with making the entire production system environmentally sound. International environmental law will need to reflect this emphasis by focusing on performance standards to prevent pollution and minimize degradation, rather than on liability for damage, and on providing incentives to companies to use environmentally sound processes. Environment and trade issues will be increasingly joined.