Energy

‘Real concern’ over Energy Charter Treaty as EU states consider full withdrawal

The Energy Charter Treaty was designed to protect investors in energy, but growing litigation of decarbonisation plans under the treaty in recent years have fuelled concerns that that it is now stifling climate action in Europe

Eamon Ryan: “The government continues to reserve the option to support a coordinated EU withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty.” Picture: Andres Poveda

The government has “real concerns” over the Energy Charter Treaty and may yet support a complete EU withdrawal from it, Eamon Ryan, the Minister for the Environment, has said.

Ryan’s comments come after the European Commission recently wrote to member states saying a withdrawal from the treaty by all 27 member states was now “unavoidable”.

The Energy Charter Treaty is an international treaty with more than 50 signatories which allows corporations to sue governments for ...