Enhancing Sustainability in Global Trade: Stakeholder Perspectives on Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is critical for raising awareness and aiding global decision-making in development projects but is rarely used in the context of trade policy. The present paper seeks to identify the differences in the design and use of EIA for international trade across the actors that carry out EIA systematically and to understand why the number of actors is low, using stakeholder interviews and thematic analysis as a primary research tool. Eight semi-structured interviews with stakeholders at multiple levels were conducted, of which eight were qualitatively analysed using case studies and stakeholder engagement. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed a lack of a systematic approach to the design of environmental impact assessment in international trade and no systematic approach was observed in any developing country. The findings from this study provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in refining and enhancing the role of Environmental Impact Assessments in shaping environmentally sustainable trade agreements.