Restricting Biofuel Imports in the Name of the Environment: How Does the Application of WTO Rules Affect Developing Countries?

Haniff Ahamat & Nasarudin Rahman
Haniff Ahamat
International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
AT O. Box 10, 50728, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Corresponding Author: ahaniff@iiu.edu.my
Nasarudin Rahman
International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
ATO. Box 10, 50728, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Corresponding Author: nasarudin@iium.edu.my
ⓒ Copyright YIJUN Institute of International Law
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract
There are calls for biofuel imports from developing countries to be restricted. The imports which are either in the form of end-product (bioethanol or biodiesel) or feedstock (oil palm, sugar cane molasses, etc) are allegedly produced in ways which can threaten the environment and violate human rights. This article finds that there is no specific regime for trade in biofuels within the WTO system. Hence any restriction on such trade is governed by the existing trade regimes including tariffs and non-tariff measures. However, the existing WTO tariff and non-tariff (TBT, anti-dumping and anti-subsidy) regimes are still inadequate in ensuring that measures are taken against biofuel feedstock and products that were produced in unsustainable ways. The use of these measures without being subject to clear defining rules will create a danger that they serve a protectionist rather than social or environmental objectives.

Keywords : WTO law, International Environmental Law, Renewable Energy, Like Products, Sustainable Development, Special & Differential Treatment

The Full Text is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.14330/jeail.2014.7.1.03

Sustainable Development of Water Resources in the Mekong River Basin: Legal and Policy Implications of Dams in the Regional Context

Sophie Landberg University of Tokyo, Japan.
Annex Myogadani, No 1003, Otsuka 3-20-5, Bunkyo-ku 112-0012 Japan.
Corresponding Author: landberg@gmail.com
ⓒ Copyright YIJUN Institute of International Law
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract
The article addresses the subject of dams and dam construction in the Mekong River Basin. The focus lies on whether, under the existing legal framework and in light of the Mekong dam projects, it is possible to achieve sustainable development of water resources on a regional level. As a number of these dam projects are accompanied with concern and debate regarding the environment and socio-economic impacts, the article discusses the effects noted so far and future expectations of dam usage on the Mekong mainstream and tributaries. The article will further look into the procedural elements needed for achieving sustainable development in the Mekong River Basin. The basis for this analysis is found in the relevant international and regional framework, such as the UN Watercourses Convention and the Mekong Agreement, and in regional cooperation that focuses on sustainability issues in the basin.

Keywords: Sustainable Development, Mekong River Basin, Transboundary River, Shared Resources, Hydropower Development, Mekong River Commission

The Full Text is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.14330/jeail.2012.5.1.09

Legal Aspects of the Coastal Zone Management: On-going Process of ICZM in Thailand

Kanongnij Sribuaiam Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Corresponding Author: ksribuaiam@yahoo.com
ⓒ Copyright YIJUN Institute of International Law
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract
"Coastal zone" is an area with interface between the land and the sea, and naturally contains unique character with multi-dimensional values, enjoyed by different users, based on different purposes, and finally led to conflicts among various stakeholders. To promote sustainable management of coastal zone as well as sustainable development, a new mechanism called "Integrated Coastal Zone Management or ICZM" was introduced for maintaining both "interdependence" between environment and development and "integration" of various measures, policies, processes, institutions and full public participation through coordinating mechanisms at both the local and national levels. ICZM is used by most coastal countries to ensure that all activities relating to the coast will harmoniously function to achieve common goals rather than replacing the traditional single-sector resources management. Thailand is on the process of introducing ICZM to the existing system.

Keywords : Coastal Zone, Coastal Zone Management, Sustainable Management of Coastal Zone, Sustainable Development, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

The Full Text is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.14330/jeail.2009.2.2.02