At the WTO, the precautionary principle/approach is considered as a protectionary mechanism, i.e. and alleged justification for potentially WTO-illegal trade restrictions. This article presents a survey of some pronouncements of the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body including two case studies at...

The article evaluates the application of the precautionary principle at the international level. It employs a comparative study of four cases in global environmental politics: ozone depletion, acid rain, deforestation and coral reef degradation. Contrary to widespread academic notions, the...

Through the acquisition of scientific data, knowledge is gained about the environmental fate and human exposure of chemical substances. From this knowledge, the risk of using chemicals can be assessed. As a means of facilitating the regulatory process, risk assessments can also compare the...

The closure of the Red Sea at its southern entrance (the Bab-al-Mandab Strait) could well lead to the world's largest hydropower generation, in the order of 50 000 MW. The cost and time-scales involved are beyond normal economical considerations. Macro-engineering projects of this size cause a...

Worldwide, the precautionary principle has been applied in various ways in the environmental decision-making process. Often the interpretation of the principle is based on absolute scientific certainty, cost-benefit analysis, or environmental equity. However, science cannot be absolute....

The Southern Bluefin Tuna cases offer a rare judicial pronouncement on the application of the Precautionary Principle in marine conservation. Specifically, the 1999 application for provisional measures to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), initiated by Australia and New...

In Spain, there is significant opposition to the building of new base stations for cell phone communications. Since 1999, this situation has led most local councils to declare a moratorium on new aerials in cities and villages. In the meantime, following European Union recommendations, state...

From 1999 to 2004, the European Union had in place a moratorium on new genetically modified (GM) products. This moratorium created a tense trade dispute between the United States and the EU. While the moratorium has now been lifted, differences remain between the EU's and US's approach to GM...

The closure of the Red Sea at its southern entrance (the Bab-al-Mandab Strait) could well lead to the world's largest hydropower generation, in the order of 50 000 MW. The cost and time-scales involved are beyond normal economical considerations. Macro-engineering projects of this size cause a...

Worldwide, the precautionary principle has been applied in various ways in the environmental decision-making process. Often the interpretation of the principle is based on absolute scientific certainty, cost-benefit analysis, or environmental equity. However, science cannot be absolute....