Multilateralism and climate change: can the WTO set a sustainable course?

Abstract

The United Nations has long served as the primary forum for international environmental governance, particularly on climate change. While international trade and environmental policy were historically treated as separate domains, they have become inextricably linked: trade policy today must take into account climate action and sustainable development objectives. This article examines the World Trade Organization’s evolving role at this critical intersection. We argue that the WTO may serve as a powerful ally in the multilateral response to climate change, given its unique institutional strengths: an established platform for negotiating binding international commitments, a comprehensive legal framework grounded in sustainable development principles, and a dispute settlement mechanism to ensure compliance.