How can we meet the needs of today without diminishing the capacity of future generations to meet theirs? This is the central question posed by "sustainable development". OECD countries committed themselves to sustainable development at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in...

Sustainable development involves linking the economic, social and environmental objectives of societies in a balanced way. It stresses the importance of taking a broader view of what human welfare entails, of using a long-term perspective about the consequences of today's activities, and of...

How can the environmental effects of trade liberalisation agreements be assessed ? Are available methodologies sufficiently tuned to current concerns? In order to take stock of the state of the art in assessment methodologies, the OECD organised a two-day technical workshop to focus on past...

Expectations are running high for significant outcomes on the temporary movement of natural persons to supply services - known as mode 4 - in the current WTO services negotiations. Powerful drivers for liberalisation exist, such as increased trade and investment, strengthened global business...

Greenhouse gas emissions trading and project-based mechanisms for greenhouse gas reduction are emerging market-based instruments for climate change policy. They are also increasingly viewed as cost-effective, flexible and environmentally efficient instruments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions