Greenpeace
and globalisation - summary and principles
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Workers at Alang shipbraking yard. Gujarat, India © Greenpeace
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Since its early days, Greenpeace has campaigned globally
to protect the global commons (e.g. oceans, climate/ozone,
nuclear disarmament) on issues of global concern (ancient
forests, toxics, GMOs, etc).
Likewise, Greenpeace has worked on specific aspects of international
trade since the 1970s, with a view to limiting its impact
on the global environment (banning the international trade
in endangered species, and the export of hazardous wastes
and nuclear materials, etc).
Greenpeace was in many cases instrumental in achieving international
agreements banning or controlling polluting and destructive
trade practices.
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However, since the 1990s, and in particular since the creation
of the WTO, trade-related environmental measures have been under
threat by the international trading regime, including the WTO´s
dispute settlement procedure, North American Free Trade Agreement,
etc.
As a result, Greenpeace has increasingly confronted international
trade rules and practices that undermine global environmental standards,
the precautionary principle, human health and the wellbeing of people,
particularly the poor.
Greenpeace opposes the current form of globalisation that is increasing
corporate power. Trade liberalisation at all costs, leads to further
environmental and social inequity and undermines democratic rights.
It does not lead to poverty alleviation.
Governments must listen seriously to the concerns expressed by
citizens from all over the world, and best illustrated by the events
that surrounded the Seattle summit of the WTO in 1999. In promoting
"global environmental standards" and opposing transnational
corporations' (TNCs) "double standards", we advocate a
new approach: forms of global governance, including trade and finance,
that are open, transparent, fair, equitable and under democratic
control. A trade regime that works for all, and preserves and restores
the environment.
The practice of international trade and finance institutions must
be consistent with the need to integrate development and environmental
policies as acknowledged since the Rio Earth Summit of 1992.
Greenpeace´s approach to and relationship with the international
institutions that are associated with the growing globalisation
trend (WTO, World Bank/IMF, etc) is in line with our approach to
other intergovernmental organisations within and outside the UN
system.
As an independent NGO, we campaign to ensure that governments and
international institutions act in an environmentally and socially
responsible manner.
Greenpeace employs all legitimate tools and tactics, which range
from dialogue and coalition-building on specific projects and policies,
through to non-violent confrontation and protests, when necessary.
We were among the first to carry out peaceful direct actions against
the World Bank and WTO/GATT; we shall continue whenever this is
required.
Is
Greening Doha possible?
Want more information?
Download
the Safe Trade in the 21st Century report (Pdf - 559k)
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