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The obscure treaty that could kill a global green recovery
The Energy Charter Treaty, with 53 signatories, allows energy companies to sue states that make their business unprofitable.
EU must end investment protection in the fossil sector
The Energy Charter Treaty, which dates back to the 1990s, severely restricts Europe’s ability to change regulations in the energy sector, with many EU member states facing court actions worth billions of euros, write a group of MEPs.
Countries serious about climate change should leave the Energy Charter Treaty, says former ECT official
Interview with Yamina Saheb, former head of unit in the Energy Charter Treaty Secretariat .
New NAFTA trade deal deepens oil and gas dependency during climate crisis
The deal provides loopholes for oil, gas, and mining companies to operate across borders, and paves the way for US companies to export even more fracked natural gas across the border into Mexico.
NextEra wins millionaire renewables lawsuit against Spain
The ICSID has lifted the suspension on the execution of the €290 million award NextEra obtained a year ago.
Africa should resist acceding to the Energy Charter Treaty
Joining the Energy Charter Treaty could cost developing countries money that is urgently needed to fight Covid-19 and a loaming economic crisis. The Energy Charter Treaty has become increasingly controversial.
The environmental bias of trade policy
Most countries have implicitly created a carbon subsidy in trade policy. Using trade policy negotiations to decrease this environmental bias of trade policy could help address climate change.
Companies sue states for ­ climate-protection measures
On the basis of the Energy Charter Treaty, companies are suing countries for damages when the latter decide to phase out or limit the use of fossil fuels.
Corporate lawsuits could devastate poor countries grappling with Covid-19
Wealthy corporations may use trade courts to keep public health measures from cutting into their profits.
Wind farm owner sues Romania at WB’s arbitrage court
Cyprus-based offshore EP Wind Project (Rom) Six Ltd claims that Romania has breached the Energy Charter Treaty.
Coal generator uses investment treaty to fight Netherlands coal phaseout
Uniper is using a controversial investor dispute system to claim up to €1 billion compensation for being forced to close a coal power station early.
Phase One US-China trade deal fails in energy and beyond
The Phase One trade deal had China committing to $30 billion in energy purchases. But US energy exports to China actually shrank by 33% in Q1.
Russia appeals decision of Hague Court of Appeal on Yukos
On February 18, The Hague Court of Appeal reinstated an order of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which obliged Russia to pay more than $50 bln to the companies associated with former Yukos shareholders in 2014.
Energy dispute deepens between Mexico and foreign allies
The measures would face legal challenges under Mexico’s commitments not just under the outgoing NAFTA but also its successor, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, an industry source said.
The unknown climate-killer deal we’ll have to tackle next
The Energy Charter Treaty takes an axe to climate action.
Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty
A global tragedy at a high cost for taxpayers.
EU plans to reform Energy Charter Treaty falling short, activists say
An updated European Commission proposal to reform the Energy Charter Treaty is falling short of what’s needed to reinstate governments’ “right to regulate” in areas like climate change, activists say.
Eni and Naturgy’s Damietta gas plant deal with Egypt falls through
In the meantime, Naturgy said it would go back to pursuing a legal claim to $2 billion in compensation its joint venture with ENI was awarded in the case by the World Bank’s ICSID in 2018.
Despite controversy, the Energy Charter Treaty is silently being pushed into Africa
Joining the Energy Charter Treaty could cost developing countries money that is urgently needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis.
Silent expansion
Many countries, particularly in the global south, are in the process of joining the Energy Charter Treaty despite the sweeping powers it grants to foreign investors.