bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

climate


End harmful treaties, says Nalunga
Treaties and agreements should facilitate a green and equitable transition by channeling investments into renewable energy, circular economies, and sustainable infrastructure.
Energy Charter Treaty irrelevant to Africa
The Energy Charter Treaty not only locks countries into outdated fossil fuel investments but also hampers their ability to pursue sustainable, climate-friendly energy policies.
Thousands of people protest for more climate protection
In Bern, several hundred people on the Bundesplatz criticized the federal government, which wants to modernize the International Energy Charter Treaty that came into force in 1998. They called for an exit.
The climate impact of the EU trade agreement with Colombia, Peru and Ecuador
Instead of supporting sustainable development, the agreement has primarily facilitated trade in environmentally harmful goods, and has also failed to introduce effective mechanisms to address sustainability challenges.
Allowing foreign firms to sue governments for lost profits is legal terrorism – it must end
Investor–state dispute settlements don’t just mean growing debt burdens for countries: they are also a barrier to action on the climate crisis.
Why fear of billion-dollar lawsuits stops countries phasing out fossil fuels
Companies can sue governments for closing oilfields and mines – and the risk of huge damages is already stopping countries from passing green laws, ministers say.
EU-Mercosur Agreement: Old pledges, new potential impacts for food systems and a just transition
The EU-Mercosur Agreement continues with the narrative that it ensures environmental clauses and climate commitments, in practice it implements measures that could divert means and resources that could otherwise be used for a genuine, just, ecological and inclusive transition.
Re-imagining trade for people and the planet
Progressive new trade policies and agreements driven by global environmental objectives, as well as decades-old attempts through the United Nations General Assembly to reshape the global trade system and decolonize it, offer some direction.
Trade deal fueling resource grab? 120+ groups from Europe and Indonesia sound the alarm
Over 120 civil society organizations and trade unions from Indonesia and Europe today call on the Indonesian government and the EU to stop the negotiations for the Indonesia-EU free trade agreement – the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The organizations warn that this agreement threatens the environment, climate, and the rights of women, Indigenous Peoples, workers, small farmers and fisherfolk.
STOP the Indonesia-EU trade deal: Joint Statement on raw materials in EU-Indonesia CEPA
CSOs in Europe and Indonesia are urging the EU and Indonesia to stop CEPA negotiations. The agreement threatens the environment, climate, and the rights of vulnerable groups, while hindering Indonesia’s ability to develop its own raw materials value chain. The groups also raise concerns about privatization of energy, investor protections, and the inclusion of elements from Indonesia’s "Omnibus Law," which weakens labor protections.
IEU CEPA: A threat to the environment, indigenous peoples, and biodiversity
Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) and WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia) released a joint statement raises critical concerns about the proposed Indonesia-EU CEPA. It highlights the potential negative impacts of the agreement, particularly when coupled with Indonesia’s Omnibus Law, on the environment, Indigenous communities, and biodiversity.
New AFTINET explainer: why ISDS is a threat to climate action
This explainer sheds light on how Clive Palmer is using Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions in trade agreements to claim up to $420 billion from the Australian government.
Clive Palmer’s foreign investor claims against Australia now $420b
Clive Palmer’s latest claims join a growing global list of ISDS claims by fossil fuel companies defined by the UN and the OECD as threats to the global climate transition.
Colombia is defending its sovereignty from the power of global corporations
Trade deals can allow international corporations to trample over the rights of governments in the Global South. That is the message from the Colombian government, which describes the effect of such deals as a “bloodbath” for their national sovereignty.
Commission must stop Energy Charter Treaty hijacking EU climate policy
The Energy Charter Treaty allow fossil fuel investors to sue EU member states before international arbitral tribunals to challenge climate mitigation measures. This legal mechanism is increasingly weaponized by the industry.
“Shocking and sad”: how corporations use investment agreements to block decarbonisation in the Global South
Experts talk about investor-state dispute settlements, which allow fossil fuel companies to bring multi-billion dollar lawsuits against countries that pass green policies.
The Energy Charter Treaty remains the most dangerous investment treaty to the energy transition
Our ranking reveals that the Energy Charter Treaty remains the most dangerous investment treaty to the energy transition by protecting over 300 megatonnes (Mt) of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Mercosur deal — why would the EU trust a man like Milei?
The EU’s climate hypocrisy is exposed yet again: while Argentina’s far-right president Javier Milei threatens to exit the Paris Agreement, the EU is turning a deaf ear and rushing to finalise the climate-wrecking EU-Mercosur trade deal.
Energy Charter Treaty modernisation adopted, still undermines climate action
Even after modernisation, the ECT continues to undermine European and global climate policies.
Campaigners call for Cop29 to commit to ending secretive corporate courts
Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) courts are a legal mechanism that allow corporations to sue governments for decisions which they claim impact their profits — including environmental protections.