How can international trade agreements benefit the environment?

International trade agreements can significantly benefit the environment by setting standards that promote sustainable resource management. When countries engage in trade negotiations, they often include environmental provisions aimed at ensuring that trade practices do not harm natural ecosystems or deplete resources unsustainably.

These agreements can incorporate provisions that promote the use of renewable resources, encourage sustainable agricultural practices, and establish guidelines for fair fishing practices. By setting such standards, countries can collaborate on environmental protection initiatives, share technology for cleaner production methods, and create incentives for businesses to engage in more sustainable practices across borders.

This collective effort fosters international cooperation on addressing issues like climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, which are increasingly pressing in a globalized world. In contrast, lowering environmental standards, negating tariffs specifically on non-sustainable goods, or allowing unrestricted resource extraction would undermine sustainability efforts, leading to environmental degradation rather than conservation and responsible management of resources.