>When compared against other TPP chapters, the Environment Chapter is noteworthy for its absence of mandated clauses or meaningful enforcement measures. The dispute settlement mechanisms it creates are cooperative instead of binding; there are no required penalties and no proposed criminal sanctions. With the exception of fisheries, trade in 'environmental' goods and the disputed inclusion of other multilateral agreements, the Chapter appears to function as a public relations exercise.
>Julian Assange, WikiLeaks' publisher, stated: "Today's WikiLeaks release shows that the public sweetner in the TPP is just media sugar water. The fabled TPP environmental chapter turns out to be a toothless public relations exercise with no enforcement mechanism."
and
>The documents date from 24 November 2013 ─ the end of the Salt Lake City round. They were requested by the Ministers of the TPP after the August 2013 Brunei round. The Consolidated Text was designed to be a "landing zone" document to further the negotiations quickly and displays what the Chairs say is a good representation of all Parties' positions at the time.
Without reading through it, it would seem it may have a great deal of effect on public relations in the participating countries. I'd imagine it may be used as PR leverage against countries who did not participate as well. "Just look at how little Russia and NZ care about the environment!"
And of course, while I appreciate the need for precise legally robust language in these things, it use does create a barriers to general understanding.
I dont know how it could be funded, but I'd love to see a service where these sorts of documents are boiled down to something the average person can understand with out a law degree.
I know the TPP is an agreement negotiated in secret by (probably non-elected) representatives who have corporate best interests at heart, which probably means it's hideously bad, but I don't have the time to read through it all myself.