The UK is opening itself up to repeated lawsuits from foreign oil and gas firms if it passes the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
The Energy Charter Treaty, which Spain is trying to leave, protects investments in fossil fuels and in renewables
They hope they can neutralise the treaty’s 20 year sunset clause and prevent fossil fuel companies suing them over climate action
Lentz accused the European Union of helping protect fossil fuel investments but climate campaigners accused him of a “desperate attempt” to keep the EU in the treaty
Experts fear that fossil fuel companies will restructure their operations through Switzerland to keep suing governments over climate action
After big European nations said they would leave the Energy Charter Treaty, the European Commission now says a joint EU exit is the best option
European governments are abandoning a treaty that has become a barrier to climate action, but legal hurdles remain
Rockhopper used the Energy Charter Treaty to sue the Italian government for foregone profits and plans to invest the compensation in further drilling
Under the reform, the EU will end protection for new fossil fuel infrastructure. But existing ones will remain protected for 10 years and some gas projects for even longer
Internal committee minutes show EU frustration with Japan’s protection of fossil fuel interests under the Energy Charter Treaty, as a decision deadline looms
Investors could use obscure treaties to lock countries into polluting energy systems and delay climate action, researchers warn
The German government has been worried about being sued by the fossil fuel companies behind the Russian gas pipeline under the Energy Charter Treaty
France and Spain are calling for the EU to quit the Energy Charter Treaty unless it is overhauled to support climate goals; eastern member states want less radical reform
Brussels’ proposed green reforms to the Energy Charter Treaty face resistance from Japan, yet do not go far enough for environmental campaigners
Fossil fuel investors can continue to sue governments secretly when climate policies hurt their profits, as EU lacks support for Energy Charter Treaty overhaul
A British oil and gas company is using a controversial energy treaty to sue Slovenia, after being required to carry out an environmental impact assessment
The European Union is seeking to amend the Energy Charter Treaty to align with climate goals, but Japan is resisting change as negotiations resume