The role of trade in environmental policy

Overview

This is an opportunity for a person from an underrepresented group to undertake a fully funded masters degree followed by a fully funded interdisciplinary PhD under the ‘Sustainable Transitions – Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme’ at the University of Essex.

Only UK domiciled applicants who meet the following criteria may apply:

• Not already have a Master’s degree
• Be from a low-income household background as evidenced by, for example, being in receipt of a full maintenance loan or Special Support loan during their undergraduate studies.

and/or

Be one of the following categories of ethnicity:

• Black African
• Black Caribbean
• Black Other
• Mixed – White and Black Caribbean
• Mixed – White and Black African
• Other mixed background (including Black African, Black Caribbean and Black Other)

The successful applicant would study an appropriate masters degree, such as:

• MSc Environmental Futures with Climate Change
• MSc Political Economy
• MSc International Relations

In political science international trade is a determinant of openness and globalisation. Countries involved in trade are arguably better incorporated into an international system that facilitates international environmental cooperation. From a legal perspective, trade law regulates within this sphere.

This research project will investigate how trade policy, including soft and hard law instruments facilitates or hinders environmental policy decision-making, outputs and effectiveness at a time when ‘economic security’ has become a growing concern within the green transition. Although, research on environmental politics has examined issues such as preferential trade agreements, we also need to consider in more depth how legal perspectives can relate to environmental policy. This is particularly important within existing geopolitical contexts. 

Interdisciplinary focus

Trade Law and Environmental policy

A synthesised approach combining the disciplines of government and law is needed to further our understanding of international trade law and environmental governance. Specifically, the object of this project is to question the impact of trade law on environmental policy and performance. A mixed-methods design including among others text analysis, process tracing, and the use and analysis of secondary data is needed to fulfil this project. 

Training and support

You will receive support through the Sustainable Transitions training program, which offers interdisciplinary research methods, secondary discipline training, and ongoing development. Doctoral scholars also have access to £2,500 through Proficio for training courses and £10,000 for research and additional training. You may audit relevant courses and will be supported by both the Sustainable Transitions management and your supervisory team.

Additionally, all scholars join the University of Essex’s Centre for Environment and Society, providing events and networking opportunities. 

Person specification

This opportunity would suit a candidate with a degree/ background in political science and environmental politics along with an interest in law. Some knowledge of research methods is essential for this position but we expect the postgraduate year to offer the student the essential training in those specific skills.

It is not necessary for the candidate to have prior training in law as this will be provided on the programme.

Research proposal

The project area is broadly defined, leaving scope for the applicant to develop their own specific research proposal as part of the application. The successful candidate will further develop their proposal in close consultation with the supervisory team.

Supervision

The primary discipline supervisor takes the lead responsibility for supervising the project. For further detail relating to supervision see the Guidance for Applicants (.docx) document.

Additional background information

We need to better understand the barriers to ambitious climate action and to formulate appropriate strategies and solutions. This project seeks to investigate how international trade impacts upon environmental policy related to climate action. In this regard environmental policy has become increasingly important and there has been a growing body of related legal instruments to promote and implement it. However, there are also various inhibitors that either delay or block environmental policy. The purpose of the research under this project is to investigate the relationship between trade and trade law on the one hand, and environmental policy on the other.

There are numerous theories relating to the relationship between trade and environmental policy and also the relationship that they both have with economic development. For example, the Environmental-Kuznets theory indicates that there is a certain level of development above which states are able to consider environmental protection and its implementation. Below this level, states tend only to focus on economic development which can mean negative effects on the environment. Naturally there is an intrinsic relationship between economic development and international trade, therefore the relationship between international trade and the environment is complex.   It could be said that on the one hand, international trade is linked to openness and globalisation and therefore, more international environmental policy. On the other hand, international trade leads to more development and potentially less environmental protection.

Within this matrix, national and international legal instruments regulating international trade can sometimes influence whether trade enhances or undermines environmental policy making. International trade law attempts to combat protectionism and discrimination while allowing states some policy space to implement trade distorting measures, under certain strict conditions, that aim to protect the environment. However, the balance that international trade rules aim to strike between policy space and free trade does not always lead to efficient outcomes for environmental policy-making.

As has been indicated, the relationship between environmental policy and international trade is multi-faceted. The successful candidate will investigate the conditions through which international trade law has so far facilitated or hindered environmental policy decision making, implementation and effectiveness - and consider what this means for the future.

How to Apply

Full details available at Sustainable Transitions Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme.

Supervisory team references

1. Bueno, N., Yilmaz Vastardis, A. and Ngueuleu Djeuga, I., (2023). Investor Human Rights and Environmental Obligations: The need to redesign corporate social responsibility clauses. Journal of World Investment and Trade. 24 (2), 179-216
2. Bakaki, Z., Bohmelt, T. and Ward, H., (2022). Carbon Emission Performance and Regime Type – The Role of Inequality. Global Environmental Politics. 22 (2), 156-179
3. Bakaki, Z., (2022). The impact of climate summits. Nature Climate Change. 12 (7), 611-612
4. Yilmaz Vastardis, A. and Chambers, R., (2018). Overcoming the Corporate Veil Challenge: Could Investment Law Inspire the Proposed Business and Human Rights Treaty?. International and Comparative Law Quarterly. 67 (2), 389-423
5. Bakaki, Z. and Bohmelt, T., (2023). New Deals “The Second After Leaving?” IO Withdrawal and Bilateral Trade. The British Journal of Politics and International Relations. 25 (3), 405-422