In this article, we address the role of World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement bodies in supporting the global environment. The debate over whether trade restrictions could be imposed to protect the environment sprang up primarily after the controversial decisions on the Tuna-Dolphin cases in 1991 and 1994. On both occasions, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Panel ruled against the US, stating that the US ban on tuna imports from Mexico violated Article XI of GATT. Article XI prohibits any restrictions other than taxes, duties or other charges on importation of any goods. GATT Article XX allows exceptions to Article XI, but the US’s invocation of Article XX failed to satisfy both panels.