bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

climate

Energy Charter Treaty reform reaches milestone, with little progress to show
16-Dec-2020 Euractiv
A two-day conference of the 54 parties to the Energy Charter Treaty will attempt to move forward in reforming the little-known charter, decried by environmentalists for protecting fossil fuel investments and blocking international efforts to curb global warming.
Busting myths around the Energy Charter Treaty
15-Dec-2020 TNI
Amidst growing concerns that the ECT undermines urgent climate action, its corporate profiteers, the ECT Secretariat, and others are spewing propaganda, promoting falsehoods about how the treaty attracts clean investment.
Open letter from climate leaders and scientists to signatories of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT)
8-Dec-2020 End Fossil Protection
Withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty because it impedes the transition to clean energy.
Brazil pledge on Amazon needed to save EU-Mercosur trade deal -EU diplomat
8-Dec-2020 Reuters
Until Brazil makes a political commitment to curb deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, the trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur will not advance toward ratification in Europe, the EU’s envoy in Brasilia said.
EU Commission could pull out of controversial energy treaty
4-Dec-2020 EU Observer
The European Commission has confirmed for the first time that Brussels could withdraw from the controversial Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), which critics say shields the fossil-fuel industry.
EU-New Zealand chart course toward green trade deals
23-Nov-2020 Politico
Talks with New Zealand look likely to set a template for a new way of doing business.
Amazon deforestation and EU-Mercosur deal
30-Oct-2020 European Parliament Think Tank
A study of the trade pillar’s provisions concludes that, taking the risk of deforestation into account, the deal’s environmental costs are likely to exceed its economic gains.
EU tries to stop fossil fuel companies suing states over climate action
29-Oct-2020 Climate Home News
Brussels’ proposed green reforms to the Energy Charter Treaty face resistance from Japan, yet do not go far enough for environmental campaigners.
MEPs urge EU to be ready to dump disputed energy treaty
23-Oct-2020 EU Observer
Cross-party MEPs called on the European Commission to be prepared to withdraw from the controversial Energy Charter Treaty, if negotiations for its modernisation fail.
How the Amazon rainforest at risk because of an EU trade deal – Dr Richard Dixon
20-Oct-2020 The Scotsman
Trade deals with the EU are very topical just now but it is not a possible Brexit trade deal but a deal between the EU and four South American countries which concerns our international colleagues most.
EU seeks Amazon protections pledge from Bolsonaro in push to ratify trade deal
20-Oct-2020 The Guardian
Brazilian president’s stance on deforestation remains stumbling block for South America agreement
The secret tribunal
19-Oct-2020 Drilled
Expert Marcos Orellana walks us through the shadowy arbitration system, the Chevron case in particular, and what it all means for global climate action.
Environmental impacts of free trade deal with Brazil ignored by review, advocates say
19-Oct-2020 National Observer
A federal environmental assessment of a proposed trade deal between Canada and the Mercosur countries ignores major environmental and human rights violations in Brazil, environmental advocates say.
EU parks trade deal with Mercosur over environmental concerns
19-Oct-2020 Buenos Aires Times
As European nations express environmental concerns, the ratification of the EU-Mercosur trade deal isn’t even close to starting.
EU-Mercosur: leaked treaty has no climate protection, undermines democracy
9-Oct-2020 Greenpeace
International agreements must have the protection of people and nature at their core, not as a ‘nice-to-have’ – this deal doesn’t measure up and must be scrapped.
EU-Mercosur mythbuster
6-Oct-2020 Greenpeace
We’ve made this mythbuster to unpick powerful economic interests’ spin on this toxic deal.
Key international legal measures risk making the cost of green energy shift skyrocket
5-Oct-2020 IIED
A complex set of international legal measures protecting the fossil fuel industry risks significantly increasing the cost of moving to green energy and tackling climate change, a new report reveals.
Burning Amazonia: A global corporate crime
1-Oct-2020 Friends of the Earth International
The Mercosur-EU free trade agreement is set to intensify trends of territorial expansion, will contribute to the climate crisis, and will directly impact the rights, territories and ways of life of Amazon peoples.
Luxembourg opposes the draft EU-Mercosur agreement
30-Sep-2020 RTL
The Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it "will not be able to give its support" to the signing of the EU-Mercosur agreement, asking for "additional commitments in the fight against climate change and deforestation.
Time is ticking to stop the EU-Mercosur trade deal
24-Sep-2020 Open Democracy
For the EU Commission to remain steadfast in supporting this deal, whilst simultaneously tabling an increase of the EU’s 2030 climate target, is entirely contradictory.