The central idea animating environmental impact assessment (EIA) is that decisions affecting the environment should be made through a comprehensive evaluation of predicted impacts. Notwithstanding their evaluative mandate, EIA processes do not impose specific environmental standards, but rely on the creation of open, participatory and information rich decision-making settings to bring about environmentally benign outcomes. In light of this tension between process and substance, Neil Craik assesses whether EIA, as a method of implementing international environmental law, is a sound policy...

How do trade agreements interact with agreements on human rights or the environment? In case of conflict, which agreement should prevail? Must trade disputes be examined only from the angle of trade rules or should account be taken also of non-trade values? Joost Pauwelyn considers these questions and reveals how the different rules of international law interact, with the aid of procedural guidelines when conflict occurs. This book interests trade diplomats, international civil servants, lawyers, NGOs and scholars of public international law and international trade law.