Basic attributes of trade and environment: What do the numbers tell us?

This paper analyzes 79 categorical case studies in trade and the environment to determine basic attributes of the field. It intends to describe these attributes, organized into four intellectual clusters, in order to set some basic standards for measuring trends and making initial quantitative generalizations about policy in the trade and environment field. This general review and categorization is a necessary step in the development of any field of study and absolutely critical to building a basis for cumulative research and advancement of knowledge. The findings suggest that the data mirror general beliefs about trade and environment with respect to the types of problems, actors involved, remedies, industries and other key attributes. Notably, the findings highlight the difference between process and product in environmental cases and the relation between rich and poor countries in trade and environment issues.