This article focuses on the relevance of the ‘green economy' for the promotion of human rights as the base of sustainable development, in light of major trends in international law. In June of this year, at the end of the UN Conference Rio +20 on Sustainable Development, States adopted a document - "The Future We Want" - which refers to the ‘green economy' as an economic model for the future. "The Future We Want" confirms the tendency towards the increasing involvement of private parties in international economic relations. However, complex policy issues concerning the interaction between economic and non-economic interests/concerns have arisen from current trends towards interdependence, liberalization and privatization. Some issues have brought about international disputes which are difficult to be settled, since the applicable principles and rules to the merits are insufficient and fragmented. As disputes owing to conflicts between economic and non-economic interests/concerns constitute a relevant investment and/or trade risk, all States need to promote the rapid settlement and prevention of such disputes. To this end, States and international organisations might increase the level of integration of non-economic concerns into international agreements concerning economic matters and adopt interpretative guidelines and clarifications of the existing rules.
