NAFTA: Related Environmental Issues and Initiatives (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Sept. 28, 2004 |
| Report Number |
97-291 |
| Authors |
Mary Tiemann, Resources, Science, and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) includes several environment-related
provisions, that while limited, were unprecedented for their inclusion in a trade agreement.
However, further environmental (and labor) assurances were needed to secure passage of NAFTA,
and ultimately, the negotiating parties agreed to a side accord that promotes cooperation on
environmental matters and includes provisions to address a party's failure to enforce environmental
laws. Additionally, the United States and Mexico entered into the Border Environmental
Cooperation Agreement (BECA), which authorized the establishment of the Border Environment
Cooperation Commission (BECC) and the North American Development Bank (NADB) to help
border communities finance environmental infrastructure projects.
In the 108th Congress, NAFTA's environmental provisions and related institutions have
continued to receive attention. A key issue has concerned the effectiveness of the NADB and the
BECC, and especially the Bank's ability to finance projects. Enacted on April 5, 2004, P.L. 108-215
( H.R. 254 ) authorizes several operational reforms to the NADB. Other issues involve
the environmental impact of NAFTA, and the effect that NAFTA and its environmental side
agreement have had on the negotiation of other U.S. trade agreements, including the U.S.-Central
America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and U.S.-Chile FTA. This report briefly reviews
NAFTA's environmental provisions, associated agreements, and related issues and congressional
actions. It will be updated.
