ENVIRONMENTAL PROVISIONS IN THE PREAMBLE.
The environment and the pursuit of what is called "sustainable development" are mentioned three times in NAFTA's preamble. Nevertheless, in NAFTA's Statement of Objectives, which is part of the agreement itself, they are not mentioned at all. Thus, sustainable development is a goal of NAFTA, but there are no substantive provisions in NAFTA to require its pursuit or achievement. "Sustainable development" is a term used often in environmental discussions today. It refers to measures designed to ensure that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.