About the Call for Paper

As early as 1988, the landmark Toronto Conference declaration described the ultimate consequences of climate change as potentially “second only to a global nuclear war.” Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its 2022 Report noted that “human-induced climate change, including more frequent and intense extreme events, has caused widespread adverse impacts and related losses and damages to nature and people, beyond natural climate variability. Some development and adaptation efforts have reduced vulnerability. Across sectors and regions, the most vulnerable people and systems are observed to be disproportionately affected. The rise in weather and climate extremes has led to some irreversible impacts as natural and human systems are pushed beyond their ability to adapt.”

Hence, the alarm is louder this time, and it’s not the first time it is clocking in. On the other side, policymakers are sitting at various tables and negotiating on multiple aspects including international trade. Some of these negotiations are happening in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the others outside. The WTO enlists 'sustainable development' and 'protection and preservation of the environment' as its fundamental goals, premising on the Marrakesh Agreement. Beyond covered agreements of the WTO; under - Free Trade Agreements, Plurilateral Trade Agreements, and Regional Trade Agreements, discussions on sustainability are also taking place. On the other side, there are Multilateral Environmental Agreements as well; whereby, some have implications in the trade domain.

The negotiations on FTA forefronts have some elements of environmental protection involved. Some believe that trade and environment are different subject matters, requiring differentiated discussions and tables. And some are using trade as leverage for environmental issues. In some cases, the measures appear to be legitimate, and in others, economic/ protectionist motivations are potentially apparent.

The running calamities in the global picture with wars, pandemic, etc. make the debate even more complicated. With further complications like the WTO's Appellate Body crisis, policymakers appear to be treading into deep waters.

The climate emergency clubbed with the crises in the trade world is presenting difficult challenges for the upcoming future. We stand at a juncture where the choices ahead are not easy. This book project seeks to explore the legal questions around the trade and environmental challenges. It seeks to answer the question - Are we doing enough? If not, what kind of solutions could pave a better trajectory ahead.

How should policymakers address the climate change questions? Is it justified to include environmental issues within the domain of international trade? What about global emissions? How to sufficiently address the historical emissions by the developed countries? How should the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities be implemented in the trade world? How to make a fair transition to a green world, keeping the needs of developing countries in mind?

Sub Themes

With the above premise, this book project seeks articles, essays, research papers, legislative comments or case commentaries from interested participants on the following potential sub-themes, -

  • The historical trade and environment debate: Is environment on the trade table justified?
  • Environmental provisions in the new trade agreements: Are potential questions for the future sufficiently addressed?
  • Multilateral Environmental Agreements and Free Trade Agreements: where does the answer lie?
  • Developing economies and environmental protection: Better policy models for adequately addressing climate concerns
  • Island nations at risk from climate change: questions of responsibility
  • The WTO and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

These sub-themes are merely indicative. It is suggested that authors consider themes beyond these as well, exploring the questions around trade and environment.
Submission Guidelines
  • Only original and unpublished research work will be accepted.
  • The submitted manuscript must not be under review process with any journal/book.
  • An abstract of 200 - 300 words is required to be accompanied alongside a brief profile of the author(s) indicating email IDs, contact number, designation, and official address.
  • Submission with sole authorship is preferred, however, submission with multiple authors would also be considered.
  • The word limit for a full paper along with an abstract is 3000 – 5000 words (excluding footnotes) submitted in MS Word Format.
  • Articles upto 5000 words (excluding footnotes) would also be considered. 
  • Legislative comments or case commentaries upto 3000 words may also be considered.
  • Format to be followed is - Times New Roman, Font Size 12 on A4 size paper with 1” margin on all sides with 1.5 line spacing.
  • Plagiarized papers shall be summarily rejected by the editors.
  • For references and bibliography, the author(s) are required to follow the Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (20th Edition).
Submission Process
  • The full paper along with the abstract must reach the editors on or before November 15, 2022.
  • To Submit, Click Here
  • Publication Fee: NIL
For further queries, the co-editors can be contacted
  • Dr. Ankit Awasthi, Assistant Professor, Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, India.
    • Email: ankitawasthi.hnlu@gmail.com
    • Mobile: 7355235075
  • Ms. Stuti Toshi, HNLU (2011-2016); MILE, World Trade Institute (2016-17), Senior Research Fellow (legal) deputed to work with the TBT/SPS/TRIPS Desk, Trade Policy Division, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; from the Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
    • Email: toshi.stuti@gmail.com
Disclaimer: The perusal of this book project in its entirety is in the individual capacity of the co-editors, independent of all affiliations.
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