Both ENDS and SEATINI welcome ECT’s decision to halt expansion
Earlier this month, the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) has decided to halt the geographic expansion to new member states, pending the finalization of the ongoing modernization process within the ECT. Both ENDS and our partner SEATINI, who amongst other things have been calling for this stop, welcome this decision.
The ECT is an investment treaty that regulates private investments in the energy sector. Not only does the ECT incorporate similar problems as many other investment treaties, such as investor-state arbitration, but its protection of energy-related investments in particular threatens a successful energy transition, necessary in the light of the climate crisis.
In December 2019, Both ENDS and SEATINI took the initiative to write a letter to the member states of the ECT, which was signed by more than 250 civil society organisations from all over the world. Together, we shared our worries about the ECT and called for a brake on the process to expand the ECT geographically to ever new states and to not allow any treaty accessions as long as the ECT is in its current state.
We therefore welcome the (temporary) expansion stop, by which the non-member states will keep the freedom to develop their energy policies in the public interest and to proceed with the necessary energy transition.
Themes
Read more about this subject
-
Dossier /Investment treaties
Investment treaties must be inclusive, sustainable and fair. That means that they must not put the interests of companies before those of people and…
-
Publication / 31 December 2020
-
News / 24 October 2022Termination of Energy Charter Treaty by the Netherlands helps global energy transition
The decision of Minister for Climate and Energy Rob Jetten to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is good news for the energy transition in the Netherlands and beyond. Governments of countries that are party to this treaty can therefore shape the transition to sustainable energy without…
-
News / 21 January 2019Launch of European campaign against unfair investment agreements
Today an alliance of more than 150 organisations, trade unions and social movements in countries across Europe is launching a joint programme against unfair trade and investment agreements, and especially against the controversial Investor-to-State-Dispute-Settlement (ISDS) mechanism. Under ISDS…
-
Letter / 9 December 2024
People and the Planet Entebbe Declaration: Reclaiming investment frameworks for people and the planet
The time for change is now. Civil society demands international investment
frameworks that are aligned with economic justice, social and environmental
sustainability, and the needs of communities worldwide. -
News / 26 November 2024The Time to Rethink Investment Rules: Amplifying Civil Society Voices
At the core of the Fair, Green, and Global (FGG) Alliance’s mission is the commitment to building a just and sustainable world. As members of this alliance, Both ENDS, SOMO, and the Transnational Institute (TNI) recognise the urgent need to reimagine global investment frameworks. These frameworks, entrenched in outdated treaties such as Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) and the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), often prioritise…
-
Publication / 30 October 2023
-
Publication / 21 September 2015
-
External link / 31 May 2018Uganda: Time for a new and better agreement with the Netherlands (Annual Report 2017)
For several years now, Both ENDS has been drawing attention to the downsides of existing Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) between the Netherlands and countries in the Global South. In 2017, an important step was taken, when Uganda decided to terminate its BIT with the Netherlands, as advised…
-
Publication / 12 November 2020
-
Publication / 19 September 2016
-
Dossier /Towards a socially and environmentally just energy transition
To address the climate crisis we need to urgently transition away from fossil fuels towards clean, renewable energy. However, this transition is not only about changing energy sources. It requires an inclusive and fair process that tackles systemic inequalities and demanding consumption patterns…
-
Publication / 10 March 2016
-
News / 14 October 20165 alternative arguments against TTIP
Both ENDS will join the protest against trade treaties TTIP, CETA and TiSA on Saturday October 22nd in Amsterdam. These treaties will have negative…
-
News / 2 April 2014Saying NO! to free trade agreements
Today, on the 2nd of April, activists from Africa and Europe are staging a protest action in front of the European Parliament in Brussels to make the voices of the poor and marginalised citizens heard. Holding banners and chanting slogans to the beat of djembe drums, they asked the African and European governments to prioritise peoples’ rights and interest in their trade deals and particularly, in the EU trade and development policies with…
-
News / 17 July 2024EU Exits Energy Charter Treaty (ECT): A Milestone for Climate Action
The European Union's decision to exit the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is a landmark victory for climate action. For years, the ECT's Investor-State…
-
Press release / 23 May 202360th anniversary of Dutch bilateral investment treaties no cause for celebration
On 23 May, the Netherlands celebrates 60 years of bilateral investment treaties (BITs). The first BIT was signed with Tunisia in 1963. These treaties were intended to make an important contribution to protecting foreign investments by Dutch companies. A study by SOMO, Both ENDS and the Transnational Institute (TNI), however, shows that in practice they mainly give multinationals a powerful instrument that has far-reaching consequences people and…
-
Publication / 4 April 2019
-
News / 14 September 2017What to think of the EU’s Multilateral Investment Court
Remember the widespread protests against trade agreements TTIP and CETA? One of the main worries was the Investor-State Dispute Settlement…
-
Event / 20 June 2017Eurodad-conference ‘Alternative policies for a sustainable world’
Eurodad's International Conference is co-hosted by Eurodad's Dutch members ActionAid Netherlands, Both ENDS, OIKOS, Oxfam Novib and SOMO. It…
