Acta Universitatis Danubius. Relationes Internationales, Vol 7, No 1 (2014)

Abstract

This paper aims  to analyse two different dispute settlement procedures (DSPs),- multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)’s DSPs and World Trade Organization (WTO)’s Dispute Settlement Procedure (DSP)-, in the context of their role in managing environmental questions.  For this purpose, it starts with drawing a general framework on DSPs created under different MEAs.  Afterwards, it examines the WTO’s DSP with a careful and detailed analysis of WTO cases on environmental issues. Thirdly, it focuses on the relationship between the MEAs’ DSPs and the WTO’s DSP.  After this clarification on two systems with their main features, it makes a comparative analysis between them, discussing weaknesses and gaps of both systems in the settlement of environmental disputes.  As a conclusion, based on its findings, its provides a general evolution on its analysis.