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ECT


Energy treaty update fails to address climate crisis, activists say
1994 agreement allows investors to sue governments for changes in energy policy that harm their profits.
Young people go to European court to stop treaty that aids fossil fuel investors
Five claimants aged 17-31 want their governments to exit the energy charter treaty, which compensates oil and gas firms.
Big oil is suing countries to block climate action
Oil and gas investors are using investor-state dispute settlement to successfully argue that climate policies are cutting into their profits.
UK-wide protests over £11bn legal threat to climate goals
UK government urged to exit controversial Energy Charter Treaty, dubbed ‘the fossil fuel industry’s secret weapon’.
A protest is taking place in Salisbury city centre today
Protestors will be gathering to march to the Rockhopper Exploration headquarters. The company is suing the Italian government for £236 million due to its refusal to allow oil drilling off the Adriatic Coast.
The danger of corporate courts to green transition
Global Justice Stirling is holding a rally against corporate courts in front of Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow.
Europe edging closer to withdrawal from Energy Charter Treaty
More European Union countries have shown signs of impatience with the ongoing reform of the Energy Charter Treaty, which critics say impedes efforts to phase out fossil fuels, according to leaked diplomatic cables.
How treaties protecting fossil fuel investors could jeopardize global efforts to save the climate – and cost countries billions
We estimate that countries would face up to $340 billion in legal and financial risks for canceling fossil fuel projects that are subject to treaties with ISDS clauses.
Serving of notice of dispute
Amendments to the mining law in Slovenia which prohibit the use of any hydraulic stimulation in mining exploitation constitute further breaches of the protections established by the BIT and the ECT.
Climate change expert report warns that ISDS can block climate action
For the first time, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that climate action is being jeopardised by trade agreements which give global corporations the right to sue governments.
‘Renewable’ energy in Tunisia: an unjust transition
Following the principles set out in the ECT, the EU is seeking to deepen liberalization in order to standardize the Tunisian legislative framework through FTA negotiations.
Calls to ditch ’ecocide treaty’ after failed reform efforts
Environmentalists and energy experts have been warning for years over an obscure trade deal that could lock Europe into decades of fossil fuel use.
Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) reform: Why it has failed to deliver on the EU’s own objectives
From a climate perspective, the expected reform outcome is a failure. No Contracting Party will end investment protection for fossil fuels in a timeline that is necessary to align with the Paris Agreement.
An energy investment treaty has been holding Nord Stream 2 hostage
The German government has been worried about being sued by the fossil fuel companies behind the Russian gas pipeline under the Energy Charter Treaty.
UK, Switzerland accused of undermining EU green treaty reforms
Campaigners say the UK and Switzerland are defending fossil fuel interests in Energy Charter Treaty modernisation talks to tempt firms to relocate their HQs.
Investor–state disputes in the fossil fuel industry
The fossil fuel industry is the most litigious industry in the ISDS system by number of cases, accounting for almost 20% of the total known ISDS cases across all sectors.
Energy Charter Treaty claim pushes Slovenia to weaken fracking rules
A new example of how this secretive corporate court system is undermining climate and environmental policies of EU member states has been brought to light.
Cop26 targets pushed back under threat of being sued
Countries party to the Energy Charter Treaty are under yet more pressure to reform the agreement following the Cop26 climate summit, as they weigh the benefits of climate action against the likelihood of getting sued.
Energy Charter Treaty: stalled reform fuels EU fears for climate
European governments are losing patience in talks to modernise the controversial Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), according to leaked documents.