The World Trade Organization (WTO) plays a growing role in the development of international environmental law. Environmental regulations can have a significant trade impact and the rules of the WTO seek to balance a liberal and open trading regime with the needs for sustainable development and environmental protection.

Our lawyers in Washington, DC and Geneva advise on the WTO-consistency of environmental regulations. We are advising a major US industry association on WTO-consistent legislative options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This has included advice on the applicability and scope of the WTO exception for measures relating to the conservation of exhaustible natural resources.

We also advise clients on developments in the WTO Negotiating Group on Trade and Environment, in which the possibility of accelerated liberalization for environmental goods and services is being discussed.

An important feature of the WTO and its dispute settlement process is the possibility that countries may need to amend their environmental laws, regulations, standards and administrative measures to conform them to requirements of the WTO Agreements. Potentially, any environmental regulation is subject to WTO challenge. Our specialized trade lawyers in Geneva and Washington have extensive experience in WTO litigation.