Overdue: Why hasn’t the UK quit the Energy Charter Treaty?

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Hi John,

I’m sure your patience is wearing as thin as ours. Months ago, Rishi Sunak’s government committed to reviewing the UK’s membership of the Energy Charter Treaty. But that review is now months overdue - even as the prime minister presses ahead with legislation on new oil and gas licences.

This will only invite more foreign fossil fuel companies to drill in the North Sea, shielded from future regulatory changes – when our representatives see sense – by their ability to sue under this climate-wrecking treaty.

The longer the government dithers, the more we stand to lose. Can you ask your MP to demand an urgent update?

Yes, I'll write to my MP

Last year we won a commitment from ministers to consider exiting the Energy Charter Treaty if ‘modernisation’ proposals weren’t agreed by November. Sure enough, at November’s members’ meeting the proposals were again taken off the table.

Instead, the meeting set out priorities to expand ECT membership to major oil-producing countries – meaning more fossil fuel investments will be protected. This treaty is getting worse, not better!

But since then it’s been radio silence from the UK government on what action they will take and when.

More than 120,000 of us have backed the campaign for the UK to quit this deal. Now we need to make sure the energy secretary, Claire Coutinho, knows we haven't forgotten that an outcome of the review is overdue – and we expect decisive action to exit the Energy Charter Treaty.

Can you help by asking your MP to press the minister for an update now?

I'll email my MP

The outcome of this review should be a formality. The government has itself acknowledged that there is now “no clear route to modernisation” of the treaty - their only reason for remaining. So what are they waiting for?

The case for exit is stronger than ever, as the regime of investor-state dispute settlement (or ISDS) is weakening the world over. 11 countries are quitting the Energy Charter Treaty and numerous investment deals containing these 'corporate courts' have been rolled back in recent years.

So while it can feel like hitting our heads against the wall, it’s the actions of people like us that are sustaining the movement bringing ISDS to its knees globally. If we persevere, we can get this home victory and get the UK out of the ECT once and for all.

In solidarity,

Cleodie Rickard,
Trade campaigner at Global Justice Now

Notes

1. We need to stop Rishi Sunak’s reckless North Sea oil plans, Global Justice Now, 19 January 2024

2. UK reviewing membership of energy treaty, UK Government, 1 September 2023

3. Energy Charter Treaty plans for expansion revealed in recently posted notes, Global Justice Now, 22 November 2023

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