A New Mechanism for Hemispheric Cooperation on Environmental Sustainability and Trade?

This draft concept paper, developed by the Hemispheric Working Group on Trade and Environment, proposes the creation of an Americas Environmental Accord (AEA) to coordinate environmental sustainability and trade policies across the Western Hemisphere. It analyzes existing sub-regional models—including Mercosur, CARICOM, the Andean Community, the Central American Common Market, and NAFTA—to identify best practices for transparency, civil society participation, and the integration of environmental standards into economic agreements. The document argues that the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) process should be supported by a coherent ecological cooperation agenda to ensure long-term sustainable development.

• The authors propose the establishment of a stand-alone Americas Environmental Accord (AEA) to provide a coherent ecological cooperation agenda and effective financing for the Western Hemisphere. This proposed AEA would draw from the 2001 Mercosur Framework Agreement on the Environment, focusing on shared objectives of "sustainable development and environmental protection in the western hemisphere".
• To mitigate negative environmental effects of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the document recommends conducting ex-ante sustainability impact assessments (SIA). These reviews would identify parallel measures for trade policy and develop "liberalisation sequencing options" to protect the environment.
• The 2001 Mercosur Framework Agreement on the Environment is highlighted as an integrated instrument that seeks "sustainable development and environmental protection through the development of economic, social and environmental dimensions". It includes commitments to cooperate on quality standards, environmental impact assessment methods, and certification processes.
• The North American Agreement for Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC) is cited as a strong model for openness and civil society participation. It mandates that the Council hold public meetings and consult with non-governmental organisations, while also requiring the periodic production of public reports on the state of the environment.
• The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is noted for its advanced formal mechanisms for civil society engagement, specifically through the 1997 Civil Society Charter, which recognizes the need for a wide range of actors to participate in regional processes.

APA

Segger, M.-C. C., Reynal, M. L., Borregaard, N., & González, A. K. (n.d.). A New Mechanism for Hemispheric Cooperation on Environmental Sustainability and Trade? International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_aea_draft_proposal.pdf

Chicago

Segger, Marie-Claire Cordonier, Maria Leichner Reynal, Nicola Borregaard, and Ana Karina González. A New Mechanism for Hemispheric Cooperation on Environmental Sustainability and Trade? International Institute for Sustainable Development, n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_aea_draft_proposal.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Segger |first1=Marie-Claire Cordonier |last2=Reynal |first2=Maria Leichner |last3=Borregaard |first3=Nicola |last4=González |first4=Ana Karina |title=A New Mechanism for Hemispheric Cooperation on Environmental Sustainability and Trade? |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_aea_draft_proposal.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{seggerndnew, author = {Segger, Marie-Claire Cordonier and Reynal, Maria Leichner and Borregaard, Nicola and González, Ana Karina}, title = {{A New Mechanism for Hemispheric Cooperation on Environmental Sustainability and Trade?}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/trade_aea_draft_proposal.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }