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CEPR applauds Colombia for advancing investor-state dispute settlement talks but flags concerns over diluted conference outcomes at Santa Marta
The Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) commends Colombia for its leadership in advancing discussions over investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in recent weeks.
US-Bangladesh trade deal may obstruct Bangladesh’s renewable energy growth
The US - Bangladesh agreement risks locking Bangladesh into costly LNG dependency, potentially undermining its renewable energy goals and energy security, especially given current renewables capacity of just 1,743 MW—mostly reliant on Chinese solar tech.
Unpacking the ASEAN–Canada FTA negotiation
The ASEAN-Canada FTA is one of the agreements currently being negotiated that includes an investment protection chapter with an ISDS mechanism. This briefing note summarizes the October 2025 webinar, “Unpacking the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (external link) ”, which examined the impact of ISDS and highlighted Canadian mining practices through emblematic ISDS cases.
Fossil fuel phase-out conference: governments cite ISDS as a barrier to just transition
Australia and 56 other governments, representing around one third of global GDP, met last week in Santa Marta, Colombia, and agreed to map out practical ways to phase out fossil fuels at the first global diplomatic forum to assess practical steps to do so.
The legal block on climate action
Colombia has sent a strong signal about corporate influence over its climate policies as it gears up to host the first Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels. Can the world follow?
Burford moves YPF dispute to ICSID after New York setback
Burford Capital has notified Argentina that it will take the long-running YPF expropriation dispute to the World Bank’s arbitration tribunal after losing a key case in New York, seeking to continue its claim through an international investment treaty mechanism.
ISDS is a threat to our collective future
Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) threatens a just transition from fossil fuels and the urgent need for a social and ecological transformation for people and the planet.
Europe must address ISDS as a systemic barrier to a just transition
Current discussions around fossil fuel phase-out create a key opportunity to make progress on addressing this barrier. Civil society organisations are calling on European governments to explore and act on collectively disengaging from ISDS.
US trade deal limiting Bangladesh’s energy options: says Debapriya
The reciprocal trade agreement signed with the US may severely limit Bangladesh’s energy options, Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, said.
‘This is not a trade deal, it’s a hostage situation’ – EU–US talks
Campaigners at 350.org are warning that the proposed agreement risks locking Europe into decades of fossil fuel dependency. But at the same time it would expose households to rising energy costs and geopolitical pressure.
Letter from 220 economists and legal scholars to Colombian President Gustavo Petro calling for action on ISDS
We write to you as economists and legal scholars deeply concerned that investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) poses a serious obstacle to building prosperous, equitable, and sustainable societies.
Singapore-based energy firm Sinolam files arbitration request against Panama
Singapore-based energy developer Sinolam International has filed for arbitration before a World Bank international court against Panama following the cancellation of its licence for a gas-fired power generation project.
A new US trade deal with Indonesia secures fossil fuels and access to critical minerals
A new trade pact between Indonesia and the United States has recast their economic ties, binding Jakarta’s resource wealth and energy future more closely to Washington’s strategic needs.
Written notification of withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty
On 16 March 2026, Iceland deposited with the Energy Charter Secretariat, in its capacity as the Depositary of the Energy Charter Treaty on an interim basis.
Eni confirms deal with Nigeria to split OPL 245 oilfield into four licences
The agreement includes the “mutually satisfactory settlement” of all claims related to OPL 245 and the termination of an international arbitration procedure, the Italian energy major said.
Orca’s ICSID case and special dividend put Tanzania’s gas sector in focus
Orca announced three arbitrations at the CSID: one under the Mauritius–Tanzania Bilateral Investment Treaty, and two under the PSA and GA. The claims-valued at roughly US$1.2 billion-allege Tanzania failed to extend the development licence, prolonged the “Protected Gas” regime beyond its contractual term.
Lukoil unit threatens legal action against Bulgaria over special administration
Swiss-based Litasco, the international supply and trading arm of Russia’s Lukoil, may initiate arbitration proceedings against Bulgaria after the country transferred the management of Lukoil’s local subsidiaries to a special administrator.
Oil majors running Kazakh Kashagan field file arbitration over $4.6 billion fine
Shell, TotalEnergies, Eni, Exxon and other shareholders in Kazakhstan’s Kashagan oilfield have filed an arbitration claim against a 2023 environmental fine worth around $4.6 billion
Critics warn US–Indonesia trade deal could undermine renewable energy push
A new trade agreement between Indonesia and the United States has sparked sharp criticism from climate advocates, who warn that a commitment to purchase up to USD 15 billion worth of American fossil fuels could undermine Indonesia’s renewable energy transition
EU challenges 16 Member States over stalled energy charter withdrawals
The European Commission has launched new legal steps against several EU countries over energy-related obligations, including continued participation in the Energy Charter Treaty.