1. Project Update December 2002 Washington, DC
OAS / FIDA
Environmentally Sustainable Trade Project
Project Update
December 2002
Washington, DC
Eric Dannenmaier
Director, Tulane Institute for Environmental Law and Policy
Senior Project Advisor, FIDA

2. FTAA Overview Free Trade Area of the Americas
Proposed in 1994 in Miami
Heads of State recognized that:
“Social progress and economic prosperity can be sustained only if our people live in a healthy environment and our ecosystems and natural resources are managed carefully and responsibly.”

3. FTAA Overview Free Trade Area of the Americas Santiago Declaration:
“We believe that economic integration, investment, and free trade are key factors for raising standards of living, improving the working conditions of the people of the Americas and better protecting the environment.”
“the environment will be taken into account as we proceed with the economic integration process in the Americas.”

4. FTAA Overview Free Trade Area of the Americas Quebec Declaration:
Heads of State commit “to strengthen environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources with a view to ensuring a balance among economic development, social development and the protection of the environment,”
Specific finding that “these [goals] are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.”

5. FIDA Overview Inter-American Forum on Environmental Law
Established following Bolivia Summit
Network of officials and experts in environmental law and policy
Guided by National Focal Points
Partners with expert organizations and government agencies on projects

6. Project Overview Goal Strategy Environmentally Sustainable Trade
Summit Objective
FIDA Mandate
Strategy
Support to Member States
Minimize environmental impacts
Maximize environmental benefits
Work with expert organizations

7. Project Geography Domestic Emphasis Country Studies by Trading Blocs
Assessment and Capacity Building
Country Studies by Trading Blocs
MERCOSUR
CACM
Andean Pact
CARICOM

8. Project Geography 1st Year Studies 2nd Year Studies
Argentina
Brazil
2nd Year Studies
Paraguay, Uruguay
Central America (countries TBD)
3rd Year Studies (Subject to funding)
Central America
Andean
Caribbean

9. Project Partners Partners to date include:
Centro de Derecho Ambiental y Recursos Naturales (Costa Rica)
Fundación de Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (Argentina)
Fundación Ecos (Uruguay)
Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada (Brasil)
North-South Center (EEUU)
Sociedad Peruano de Derecho Ambiental (Perú)
Tulane University (EEUU)
World Resources Institute (EEUU)

10. Methodology Country Studies focus on domestic issues and impacts
Empirical studies to assess potential environmental impacts empirically
Analysis Phase
Expert teams in study countries
Dialogue Phase
Peer review results
Assess policy options

11. Technical, Legal, Institutional Analysis
Analysis Phase
Step 3
Focus on Intersection
ID High Growth Sectors
Step 1
Economic Analysis
ID High Impact Sectors
Step 2
Technical, Legal, Institutional Analysis

12. Steps 1 & 2 – Modeling Change

13. Steps 1 & 2 – Modeling Change

14. Steps 1 & 2 – Modeling Change

15. Step 3 – Analysis Phase Step 3 High Growth / High Impact
Assess legal and institutional frameworks to address impact in place
Develop and discuss options for managing impact in future

16. Dialogue Phase
Discussion among government and non-governmental experts
Examine country studies
Review other relevant work
Assess comparative regional approaches
Consider domestic alternatives
Peer review at every step

17. Progress to Date Argentina & Brazil studies in progress
Preliminary review in progress
Workshops March 2003
Final drafts June 2003
Paraguay, Uruguay, Central America
begin January 2003
Dialogue alternatives under review

18. Expected Outcomes Meaningful environmental assessments
Positive dialogue about options
Capacity building for Member States
Technical experts engaged in the process
Empirical basis for considering alternatives
Further action is a domestic prerogative
Methodology can be adapted and replicated