Pham Ba Phong

Master Student, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law

Under the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report, the concept of sustainable development was described as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. As observable, although economic development is essential, it should be in line with other aspects, including environmental protection. This harmonization becomes more and more important and requires adequate attention in today’s world, where trade activities are proliferating and creating adverse impacts on the environment. Following this, the phenomenon of trade pivot to Asia-Pacific region is no exception. Beside establishing many free trade agreements (FTAs) in the region to facilitate trade, foster collaboration between economies, etc., such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), countries must keep promoting the implementation of environmental protection provisions. Specifically, several ASEAN countries are vulnerable to climate change so it is significant for them to develop their economies and tackle climate change simultaneously. In this context, this study analyzes climate change response commitments under certain FTAs (also mentioning the absence of such commitments under the RCEP), namely the CPTPP and the EVFTA, as well as examines the law and practices of some ASEAN countries (in connection with common ASEAN policy), namely Vietnam and Singapore, in implementing these commitments. The study aims to ultimately answer the question of whether there are opportunities for ASEAN countries to promote climate change adaptation under free trade agreements.

Keywords: Asia-Pacific, ASEAN, RCEP, CPTPP, EVFTA, trade and sustainable development, climate change adaptation