Environmental and Social Impacts of Trade Agreements – The Case of the FTA between the EU and Mercosur

This thesis deals with the environmental and social impacts of trade agreements. It aims to highlight these impacts using the example of the FTA between the European Union and Mercosur and suggest ways to mitigate them. The thesis is divided into two main chapters. The first one focuses on the general environmental and social impacts of trade agreements and ways to regulate them. The second one talks specifically about the agreement between the EU and Mercosur. It explores the possible effects that prevented the agreement from being ratified. From an environmental perspective, these include deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, greenhouse gas emissions, and overuse of pesticides. From a social standpoint, the effects on indigenous groups, the influence on European farmers or problems with child labor and gender inequality are discussed. Concrete measures to mitigate each impact are suggested.