Exigências ambientais aos produtos importados : preocupação ambiental ou protecionismo disfarçado?

This study investigates the growing of environmental compromises in international trade. The objective was to map the main trade policies with environmental objectives and identify which were the main countries that made environmental demands, the sectors most affected and the type of trade policy most used for this purpose. Subsequently, was certificated the environmental profile of the countries that regulate the trade of goods, based on environmental requirements. The aim was to identify whether the environmental rigor imposed on international trade was consistent with domestic policies that improve the country's environmental indicators. The results highlight that the United States, European Union, Australia and China led in notifications related to environmental issues, mainly in technical regulations, subsidies, agriculture and manufacturing. The most frequently mentioned keywords in foreign trade requirements include environment, energy and conservation, indicating the environmental areas where a greater volume of regulations. It was identified that the most environmentally demanding markets in international trade have improved their environmental indicators, an indication that regulations may not be characterized as green protectionism. The study drew attention to China, which despite facing potential environmental challenges in relation to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, has gradually improved its environmental indicators.