3 minute read
Trade justice
We took our campaign against ISDS and the Energy Charter Treaty to the streets of Glasgow during COP26, including on this demo organised by the Global Justice Now youth network.
Chilling evidence
In the last month we’ve seen more evidence of the damage that corporate courts in the Energy Charter Treaty and elsewhere can do to climate action. We already know about the cases that fossil fuel companies are bringing, such as RWE and Uniper’s over the coal phase out in the Netherlands, or the one by the owners of the cancelled Keystone tar sands pipeline. But now we’re also seeing evidence of the ‘chilling effect’ simply around the fear of potential cases.
Both the Danish and New Zealand governments have admitted that they have done less than they could in climate policy because they were afraid of being sued. Denmark set climate targets 20 years later than the science tells them and New Zealand did not join some of the climate initiatives announced at COP26. And in Germany, as part of their coal phase out, the German government paid twelve times the compensation it would usually do, in exchange for the fossil fuel companies’ promise not to use the Energy Charter Treaty to sue.
Energy Charter Treaty
The next few months are key in the push for countries to exit the Energy Charter Treaty. Increasing numbers of countries have publicly said they are considering leaving the treaty - France, Spain, Greece, Latvia, Poland, Hungary and Cyprus. Even the European Commission has said exit is on the table. Pressure is growing and a crunch point is approaching in June.
Among the member countries of the ECT there are proposals for ‘modernisation’ that have been floating around for some years now. The proposals are weak and would not change the fundamentally unjust nature of corporate courts, but even these lame proposals have been getting nowhere and are being further watered down. Now the countries themselves are saying either the ‘modernisation’ needs to get real or they will leave. And they have set June as a deadline.
Day of action, 21 May
In the months between now and June, we need to ramp up the pressure and call for
exiting the ECT. We need to ensure countries don’t settle for a meaningless, greenwashing fudge that changes nothing. And we need to call for the UK to step up to its climate commitments by leaving the ECT.
We’re joining with allies across Europe in calling for a day of action against the ECT on Saturday 21 May. In order to make this a big as possible, we need to start reaching out and raising awareness now with build-up events and activities. Things you could do might include: • making use of our new booklet (above) on a stall or at an event; • holding a public webinar or meeting on corporate courts and climate; • getting in touch with local climate groups and other allies; • writing an article or letter for a local newspaper or blog.
Jean or others staff are happy to speak. Email jean.blaylock@globaljustice.org.uk
We’re also planning to do an action in April challenging Anglo-American who have a corporate court case around the Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia. If you can come to London on 10 or 19 April, and would be
Our December petition hand-in at the Department for International Trade Our latest material, Corporate Courts versus The Climate, is a short, photo-based booklet that introduces some of the iconic ISDS cases related to climate change, and covers the issue in an easily accessible and visually attractive way. Copies are enclosed with this Think Global. If you want more, email activism@globaljustice.org.uk
interested to get involved, get in touch via activism@globaljustice.org.uk
India-UK trade deal
Negotiations have formally been launched for an India-UK trade deal. We’re in touch with India allies and are raising concerns about the risks to small-scale farmers in India, and for access to medicines, climate and digital rights.
Key resources
NEW Corporate courts versus the climate Photo booklet (February 2022).
Five fossil fuel firms... Petition leaflet (October 2021).
Climate injustice How corporate courts block climate action. Four-page briefing (March 2021)
How trade deals are fuelling climate
breakdown Four-sided A5 leaflet (September 2021)
