Integrated assessment as a tool for achieving sustainable trade policies

Integrated — economic, environmental, and social — assessment tools can provide a clear indication of both the positive and the negative impacts of trade liberalisation from which effective policies to reduce the negative impacts and strengthen the positive ones can be developed. Assessments feeding into the policy development process can promote increased integration of environmental and social considerations into macroeconomic policies and decision-making, leading to a more sustainable use of resources and increased social welfare. Although assessment tools are available, there is a need to encourage their greater adoption and use, as well as to develop and apply improved country- and sector-specific tools. This paper reviews the opportunities and challenges of promoting wider application of assessment tools and of international adoption of more proactive policies to support sustainable development.