美国BIT范本的环境政策考量与变迁及其对中国的启示

美国从1981年启用第一个BIT范本,之后历经数次修订,形成不同版本。其中的环境保护条款从无到有、从简到繁,2012年版本对环境保护又有大力强化。虽然环境例外条款具有法律形态,但因其为缔约方保留环境规制的空间,没有消极影响,其他环境条款尤其专门环境条款则只具有政策形态,对缔约方只有倡导和督促作用,因而也不具有负面意义。基于此,对于中美BIT谈判,中国应该持有像实践WTO规则一样的心态,研究它、接受它,为投身国际实践走出第一步,为将来参与更大范围的规则制定做好准备。

Considerations and Evolution of Environmental Policy in US Model BITs and Its Implications to China

There have been variousversions of Model BIT for the US since the first version is adopted in 1981.Theen vironm ental clauses thereof developed from zero to few, then to a few, till there is an enhancement of environmental protection in the latest version adopted in 2012. The environmental exceptional clauses reserve regulatory space for the contracting parties due to its binding force, but nothing negative. Other environmental clauses especially the specialized environmental clauses are more in the form of policy, advocating and urging, nothing negative as well. As to the China-US BIT negotiations on the environmental issue, China should study it, accept it with the same attitude as in practicing WTO rules, which would be the first fundamental step for China to be involved in the process of environment- related investment rulesmaking.