Trade, Climate, and Inequality: A Critical Reflection on Environmental Governance and Global Justice

This article takes the bird view of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to rigorously evaluate the intersection of international trade law and climate governance. Although the EUDR aim to reduce global deforestation by imposing due diligence obligation on EU importers and thus determining EU market access for certain commodities, the article critiques its conformity to international trade rules, global justice and normative balance. It analyzes how environmental trade measures can bolster structural inequalities and undermine the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR). Synthesizing insights from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and normative critiques by scholars such as Luterbacher, Gupta, and Cornell, the article argues that the EUDR’s unilateral design compounded by its extra territorial effect fosters disproportionate compliance burdens on Global South exporters without procedural reciprocity or transitional support. It asserts that equitable and effective climate governance demands regulatory instruments that aligns ecological urgency with historical accountability, sensitivity to varying capacities, and inclusive participation.