The Energy Charter Treaty

Type: MP briefings
Date: 1 February 2023
Campaigns: Climate, Trade

Parliamentary briefing, updated June 2023.

The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is an investment agreement between 50 countries specifically for the energy sector. Fossil fuel companies are now using the treaty to challenge climate action and sue for billions of taxpayers money. The risk of such cases is growing.

Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Slovenia, Denmark and Luxembourg have all recently announced they are leaving the Energy Charter Treaty, and a coordinated withdrawal of the whole EU is being considered.

The UK should take the decision to exit the Energy Charter Treaty to protect taxpayers, the planet and our future.