ISDS case studies
‘Corporate courts’ may sound abstract, but their impact on people and the planet is real, and devastating.
From suing governments for phasing out coal, to threatening democratic protests, here are some real-life examples of what this unfair legal system can do, and why we need to fight it.
Fossil fuels
Ascent Resources v Slovenia
British fossil fuel company is threatening to sue Slovenia in a corporate court for requiring an environmental impact assessment for a controversial gas fracking project.
RWE v the Netherlands
One energy company suing the Netherlands over phasing out coal power stations…
Uniper v the Netherlands
… and another energy company suing the Netherlands over phasing out coal power stations!
Rockhopper v Italy
British oil company suing Italy over a ban on offshore oil drilling near the coast.
Anglo-American v Colombia
UK mining giant suing Colombia after a national court prevented the expansion of the Cerrejón open cast coal mine.
Lone Pine v Canada
Oil and gas company suing the Canadian government over a moratorium on fracking in Quebec.
Chevron v Ecuador
US oil firm sued Ecuador after compensation ordered for devastating Amazon oil spill.
Health
Philip Morris V Australia
Tobacco giant sues Australia over plain packaging for cigarettes.
Food
Agro EcoEnergy v Tanzania
Sugar plantation investor accused of a land grab is suing after the Tanzanian government took back the land title.
Public services
Anglian Water V Argentina
Water company sued when Argentina froze water prices during a financial crisis.
Biwater v Tanzania
British water company sues Tanzania for ending failed water contract.
Mining
Lydian v Armenia
Mining company threatened to sue when protestors blockaded a gold mine and government allowed the protest to go ahead.
Gabriel Resources v Romania
Mining company suing over a gold mine that would have displaced two thousand people in Romania.
