Xinyan Zhao – författare

This highly informative Companion provides a comprehensive overview of the ways international trade law can contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It demonstrates that international trade law is not only a fundamental institutional framework for promoting global economic prosperity but also an increasingly important tool for addressing environmental and social challenges. The book provides a macro-level analysis of international trade law and the UN SDGs, before delving into specific issues, focusing on the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Leading scholars examine how international trade dispute settlement mechanisms such as the World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Body and those established under free trade agreements are responding to the implementation of sustainable development policies. Chapters analyse case studies spanning Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, illustrating how sovereign states are leveraging their influence in global markets and adopting specific trade policies to advance the SDGs worldwide. This comprehensive book is a valuable resource for scholars and students of international law with an interest in economics, trade, environmental and climate studies. It is also highly beneficial for practitioners and policymakers working in international trade.

This is an open access book. Sustainable development is so important that humanity must do its utmost to achieve these goals for the well-being of the present and future generations. WTO members have started to reform WTO rules since the WTO’s Buenos Aires Ministerial Conference in 2017. The book describes a possible bright future for readers: WTO members can integrate the UN SDGs into WTO law (i.e., create sustainable trade rules) by establishing a sustainable development club and constitutionalising the WTO.