TRADE SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT - TRANSFORMATION AND MODELLING: ROLES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SWITZERLAND

Leila Neimane Ilva Rudusa

This paper as a theoretical perspective based on a literature study addresses trade sustainability impact assessments. They are defined and designed to enhance free trade agreements and conducted either by regional organizations or individual states.             The paper includes sections on the historical background of the different generations of the impact assessments (sustainability impact assessment, human rights impact assessment) used in the context of international trade, its impact on human rights and relation to environmental refugees, as well as, the influence of the European Union and Switzerland as the international players in shaping these assessments. The conclusion reached in this paper is that although diverse assessment tools are available, there is a need to encourage their greater adoption and use, based upon a holistic approach. The paper highlights the need for the use of theoretical models of trade sustainability impact assessment