CETRI
Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) threatens climate action. As the UN climate conference COP 27 starts, we call on governments around the world to put an end to this unjust and dangerous system.
Many trade and investment agreements include ISDS mechanisms. ISDS empowers transnational corporations to sue governments in secretive tribunals outside of the national legal system over law and policy changes that they fear could reduce their profits.
For many years, oil, gas, mining, extractives and energy corporations have brought hundreds of ISDS cases against countries - energy and mining cases make up 42% of known ISDS cases [1]. Now there are an increasing number of cases that directly challenge climate policy. Fossil fuel corporations are already suing over coal phase out, the cancellation of a tar sands oil pipeline, a ban on offshore oil drilling and fracking regulation. Industry insiders themselves expect these cases may be only a foretaste, given the scale of fossil fuel ‘stranded assets’ [2].
This year’s IPCC report was clear that ISDS risks blocking the phase out of fossil fuels [3]. It specifically highlights the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), which many of the fossil fuel corporations are using and which developing countries are currently being pushed to join.
The key risks from ISDS for tackling the climate crisis are :
Increasing the cost of climate action
Corporations can claim vast amounts of taxpayer money through ISDS, often far higher than in domestic courts. Claims in recent climate cases have been in the billions, and they often include a large amount for hypothetical future profits. This surpasses the ability of many countries to pay, making the climate transition unaffordable.
Regulatory chill
The fear of being sued may cause countries to delay or decide against taking action that is needed on climate. Countries have already admitted that this is happening [4]. The threat of ISDS can be used to bully governments into backing down. After decades of inaction, the world simply cannot afford fossil fuel companies using ISDS to sue the world into climate paralysis.
Communities at the frontlines of the climate crisis are often at the heart of ISDS claims through struggles against destructive mining and other extractive projects.
We must urgently get rid of the ISDS system. The evidence of years of damage to the environment, land, health and self-determination of peoples all around the world is stark, and the renewed urgency of the climate imperative is beyond doubt. Reform proposals are weak, ineffective and totally inadequate for what is needed. Governments must take immediate action to put an end to the risks of ISDS.
We know this can be done, because some countries have started doing so. Countries such as South Africa, India, New Zealand, Bolivia, Tanzania, Canada and the US have all taken steps toward getting rid of ISDS.
Practical options for action include :
- Stop :
- negotiating, signing or ratifying any new agreements that include ISDS, such as EU deals with Mexico and Chile
- joining existing agreements that include ISDS, such as the ECT (Energy Charter Treaty), CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) or CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership)
- extending existing agreements to include ISDS, such as RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) or AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area)
- Terminate or exit existing agreements with ISDS, such as the ECT
- Withdraw from, and withhold consent to, the use of ISDS
- Explore alternatives to ISDS including investment risk insurance, international collaboration to strengthen domestic legal systems, and human rights mechanisms
As countries gather for COP 27, we call on governments to commit to remove the threat that ISDS poses to climate goals by getting rid of this unjust and dangerous system.
Signatories :
350.org
ActionAid International
Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
bilaterals.org
CADTM International Network
Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
ClientEarth
DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era)
Emmaüs International
Friends of the Earth International
GRAIN
Greenpeace
Health Care Without Harm
International Alliance of Inhabitants
Just Associates (JASS)
Oxfam International
Project HEARD
Society for International Development
Transnational Institute
Acción por la Biodiversidad
Akina Mama wa Afrika
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe
Corporate Europe Observatory
European Coordination Via Campesina
European Environmental Bureau
European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)
Focus on the Global South
foodwatch International
Natural Justice
Pacific Network on Globalisation
Pacto Ecosocial e Intercultural del Sur
Pascal International Members Association (PIMA)
Plataforma América Latina mejor sin TLC
Project on Organizing, Development, Education, and Research (PODER)
Public Service International- PSI Americas
Quaker Earthcare Witness
Reality of Aid-Asia Pacific
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Justice Team
Southern and Eastern Trade Information and Negotiations Instituete- SEATINI Uganda.
Women In Development Europe+ (WIDE+)
Asamblea Argentina mejor sin TLC, Argentina
Asamblea Jáchal No Se Toca, Argentina
ATTAC Argentina, Argentina
Diálogo 2000-Jubileo Sur Argentina, Argentina
FOCO FORO CIUDADANO DE PARTICIPACION POR LA JUSTICIA Y LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS, Argentina
Fundación Grupo Efecto Positivo, Argentina
Tierra Nativa / Amigos de la Tierra Argentina, Argentina
ActionAid Australia, Australia
Aid/Watch Australia, Australia
Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network, Australia
Community and Public Sector Union, Australia
Friends of the Earth Australia, Australia
GeneEthics, Australia
Music Trust, Australia
Sutherland Shire Environment Centre, NSW, Australia
Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA, Australia
Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Australia
AK EUROPA, Austria
Anders Handeln, Austria
Attac Austria, Austria
Dreikönigsaktion der Katholischen Jungschar, Austria
Informationsgruppe Lateinamerika, Austria
Österreichischer Gewerkschaftsbund, Austria
Proge, Austria
transform !at, Austria
Welthaus der Kath. Aktion Wien, Austria
WIDE - Network for Women´s Rights and Feminist Perspectives in Development, Austria
ZAMMM Aktivismus für eine zukunftsfähige Gesellschaft, Austria
ELA Euskal Sindikatua (Basque Workers Solidarity), Basque Country / Euskal Herria
CADTM Belgium, Belgium
Centre national de coopération au développement (CNCD-11.11.11), Belgium
Centre tricontinental - CETRI, Belgium
Entraide et Fraternité, Belgium
Fédération des Services Sociaux, Belgium
FOS.ngo, Belgium
Links Ecologisch Forum - Forum Gauche Ecologie, Belgium
vzw Climaxi, Belgium
Ayllu Larikuna, Bolivia
Consumidores Conscientes, Bolivia
Fundación Solón - Bolivia, Bolivia
Programa de Asistencia Agrobioenergetica al Campesino PAAC , Bolivia
SOMOS SUR, Bolivia
Association Earthlings, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Associação Alternativa Terrazul Brasil, Brazil
Associação Escola Sem Muros GRUPO ECO, Brazil
CENTRO DE DEFESA DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS DE PETRÓPOLIS, Brazil
Centro de Tecnologias Alternativas Populares, Brazil
Centro Ecológico, Brazil
International Academy of Science, Health & Ecology, Brazil
DUKINGIRE ISI YACU (DIY), Burundi
CADIRE CAMEROON ASSOCIATION, Cameroon
ATTAC-Québec, Canada
Blue Planet Project, Canada
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Canada
Canadian Environmental Law Association, Canada
Canadian Fair Trade Network (CFTN), Canada
Common Frontiers, Canada
Council of Canadians, Canada
David Suzuki Foundation, Canada
Friends of the Earth Canada, Canada
MiningWatch Canada, Canada
National Farmers Union, Canada
Projet Accompagnement Québec Guatemala (PAQG), Canada
Public Service Alliance of Canada, Canada
RQMI : Réseau québécois pour une mondialisation inclusive, Canada
Trade Justice Group of Northumberland CofC, Canada
Trade Justice Network, Canada
Ongd AFRICANDO, Canary Islands
Asociación por la Paz y los Derechos Humanos Taula per Mèxic, Catalunya
Rodes Constituent , Catalunya
SETEM Catalunya, Catalunya
Som i Serem, Catalunya
Centro de Ecología Social Ecobarrial, Chile
Chile Mejor sin TLC (Tratados de Libre Comercio), Chile
Chile Sin Ecocidio, Chile
Comité Ambiental Comunal de la comuna de Paine, Chile
Comunidad Ecuménica Martin Luther King, Chile
Mujeres en Marcha, Chile
Observatorio Latinoamericano de Conflictos Ambientales OLCA, Chile
Red de Acción por los Derechos Ambientales RADA, Chile
Colectivo de abogados José Alvear Restrepo, Colombia
Comité Para la Defensa del Agua y El Páramo de Santurbán, Colombia
Kuagro ri Changaina, Colombia
SINEDIAN, Colombia
Appui aux Initiatives Communautaires de Conservation de l’Environnement et de Développement Durable, AICED, Congo, République Démocratique
Ekumenická akademie (Ecumenical Academy), Czech Republic
Re-set : platform for socio-ecological transformation, Czech Republic
Global Aktion, Denmark
NOAH - Friends of the Earth Denmark, Denmark
Acción Ecológica , Ecuador
Centro de Documentación en Derechos Humanos « Segundo Montes Mozo S.J. » (CSMM), Ecuador
Centro de Documentación en Derechos Humanos « Segundo Montes Mozo SJ » (CSMM), Ecuador
Ecuador Decide Mejor sin TLC , Ecuador
FIAN Ecuador, Ecuador
Frente Agroecológico Proaño Vive, Riobamba, Ecuador
Inst. Estudios Ecologistas del Tercer Mundo , Ecuador
Instituto de Estudios Ecologistas , Ecuador
UDAPT, Ecuador
Asociación de Desarrollo Económico Social ADES, El Salvador
Extractivisms and Alternatives Initiative (EXALT), Finland
Maan ystävät / Friends of the Earth Finland, Finland
TTIP Network Finland, Finland
ActionAid France, France
Aitec
Alofa Tuvalu, France
Asociación Los Pies en la Tierra, France
Attac France, France
BLOOM Association, France
CADTM France (Comité pour l’abolition des dettes illégitimes), France
CCFD - Terre Solidaire, France
Collectif Relais d’Informations & Actions Citoyennes association loi 1901, France
Collectif Stop CETA/Mercosur, France
Fédération Artisans du Monde, France
Fédération syndicale SUD-Energie, France
Fondation Copernic, France
foodwatch France, France
France Amérique Latine, France
France Nature Environnement, France
FSU, France
GAFE-FRANCE, France
Gauche Démocratique et Sociale (GDS), France
Générations Futures, France
GERES, France
Igapo Project, France
Les Amis de la Terre France, France
Les Amis du Monde diplomatique, France
Mesure Conservatoire, France
Sherpa, France
Veblen Institute, France
ZEA, France
Arbeitsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft e.V., Germany
Attac Germany, Germany
Berliner Wassertisch, Germany
Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz e.V., Germany
BUND Nordschwarzwald, Germany
earthlink e.V., Germany
Ecosia, Germany
FDCL-Center for Research and Documentation Chile-Latin America, Germany
Leave it in the Ground (LINGO), Germany
NABU, Germany
NaturFreunde Deutschlands e.V., Germany
Netzwerk gerechter Welthandel, Germany
PowerShift e.V., Germany
Rettet den Regenwald, Germany
Umweltinstitut München e.V., Germany
Wuppertaler Aktionsbündnis Gerechter Welthandel, Germany
Zukunftskonvent Germany, Germany
AbibiNsroma Foundation, Ghana
AbibiNsroma Foundation , Ghana
Friends of the Earth Ghana, Ghana
Consumer Association the Quality of Life-EKPIZO, Greece
NATUREFRIENDS GREECE, Greece
Asociacion de Mujeres Ixqaniil Pa’laq Ha’ , Guatemala
Consejo de Investigaciones en Desarrollo, Guatemala
Consejo del Pueblo Maya CPO , Guatemala
Groupe d’Action Francophone pour l’Environnement GAFE Haïti, Haïti
Mouvement national citoyen pour le climat Alternatiba Haïti, Haïti
Fenntarthatóság Felé Egyesület (Towards Sustainability Association), Hungary
National Society of Conservationists - Friends of the Earth Hungary, Hungary
Védegylet Egyesület, Hungary
Anti-Jindal & Anti-POSCO Movement, Odisha, India
Association For Promotion Sustainable Development, India
Centre for Improved Rural Health and Environmental Protection (CIRHEP), India
Growthwatch , India
Indian Social Action Forum , India
Indigenous Perspectives, India
Srushtidnyan, India
The Future We Need, India
Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ), Indonesia
Koalisi Rakyat untuk Hak atas Air (KRuHA) / People’s Coalition for the Right to Water , Indonesia
Solidaritas Perempuan, Indonesia
Comhlámh, Ireland
Trócaire, Ireland
Ladakh Ecological Development Group, Ladakh
ASTM - Action Solidarité Tiers Monde, Luxembourg
Mouvement Ecologique, Luxembourg
Mouvement Ecologique asbl. / Friends of the Earth, Luxembourg
Consumers’ Association of Penang, Malaysia
Independent Advocacy and Activism of Affordable Medicines for Vulnerable Communities in Malaysia, Malaysia
Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Friends of the Earth Malaysia), Malaysia
Academia Nacional de Educación Ambiental (ANEA), Mexico
ACCION COLECTIVA SOCIOAMBIENTAL, A.C., Mexico
Bios Iguana A. C., Mexico
COMISIÓN CIUDADANA DE DERECHOS HUMANOS DEL NOROESTE, AC, Mexico
El Colegio de Veracruz, Mexico
FRENTE POPULAR EN DEFENSA DEL SOCONUSCO, Mexico
Fronteras Comunes, Mexico
Luvina, Mexico
Otros Mundos Chiapas, Mexico
Procesos Integrales para la Autogestión de los Pueblos, Mexico
Red de Información y Acción Ambiental de Vercruz, Mexico
Red Mexicana de Afectadas/os por la Minería (REMA), Mexico
Rizoma Entretejiendo la Defensa de los Bienes Comunes A.C., Mexico
Justiça Ambiental JA ! - Friends of the Earth Mozambique, Mozambique
National Indigenous Women Forum, Nepal
Both ENDS, Netherlands
FNV Dutch Trade Union Organisation, Netherlands
Handel Anders ! coalition, Netherlands
Platform Duurzame en Solidaire Economie, Netherlands
SOMO, Netherlands
Water Justice and Gender, Netherlands
GE Free New Zealand in Food and Environment, New Zealand
Its Our Future Aotearoa New Zealand, New Zealand
Health of Mother Earth Foundation , Nigeria
Human and Environmental Development Agenda, Nigeria
Attac-Norway, Norway
All Pakistan Labour Federation, Pakistan
Union of Palestinian Womens Organisation, Palestine
Colectivo Voces Ecológicas COVEC, Panama
Heñói Centro de Estudios, Paraguay
SOBREVIVENCIA,Amigos de la Tierra Paraguay , Paraguay
Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM), Philippines
Ang Aroroy Ay Alagaan, Inc. (4As), Philippines
Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, Philippines
Ecological Society of the Philippines, Philippines
Marian Women Producers Cooperative, Philippines
Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO), Philippines
SIBUYANON AGAINST MINING, Philippines
Trade Justice Pilipinas, Philippines
WomanHealth Philippines, Philippines
Youth for Climate Hope, Philippines
ACRÉSCIMO - Associação de Promoção ao Investimento Florestal, Portugal
Climáximo, Portugal
Com Calma - Associação Cultural, Portugal
Extinction Rebellion Guimarães, Portugal
IRIS - Associação Nacional de Ambiente, Portugal
OIKOS - Cooperação e Desenvolvimento, Portugal
TROCA - Plataforma por um Comércio Internacional Justo, Portugal
Réseau des associations pour la protection de l’environnement et la nature, Sénégal
Solidarite Ci Sutura, Sénégal
Focus, drustvo za sonaraven razvoj (Focus Association for Sustainable Development), Slovenia
Umanotera, The Slovenian Foundation for Sustainable Development, Slovenia
Biowatch, South Africa
Association of Physicians for Humanism , South Korea
Korea Federation of Environmental Movement(KFEM)-FoE Korea, South Korea
Civil Society Coalition On Natural Resources (CSCNR), South Sudan
Alianza por la Solidaridad, Spain
Amics de la Terra Mallorca, Spain
Amigos de la Tierra / Friends of the Earth, Spain
Asociación Cultural Brasileña Maloka, Spain
Asociación de Permacultura ATTA, Spain
Asociación por la Recuperación del Bosque Autóctono (ARBA), Spain
Associació Cultural i Medi Ambiental Arrels, Spain
ATTAC ESPAÑA , Spain
Avilaantiespecista, Spain
Campaña No a los Tratados de Comercio e Inversión, Spain
Confederación General del Trabajo CGT, Spain
Confederación Intersindical, Spain
Coordinadora de ONGD-España, Spain
Debt Observatory in Globalisation (ODG), Spain
Des de Baix, Spain
Ecologistas en Acción, Spain
ENGINYERIA SENSE FRONTERES, Spain
Entrepueblos/Entrepobles/Entrepobos/Herriarte, Spain
Extinction Rebellion, Spain
Feministas por el Clima, Spain
Francisco Muñoz de Bustillo, Spain
Fridays For Future Sevilla , Spain
FSC-CCOO, Spain
FSC-COO, Spain
Fundacions Darder Mascaró, Spain
Grup Balear d’Ornitologia i Defensa de la Naturalesa, Spain
Intersindical Valenciana, Spain
MEDICUSMUNDI, Spain
Novact, Spain
Observatori DESC, Spain
Observatori DESC de Drets Humans, Spain
Observatorio de Multinacionales en América Latina (OMAL) - Paz con Dignidad, Spain
PARVA - ARBA Paracuellos, Spain
Plataforma Antitérmica La Pereda , Spain
Recortes Cero, Spain
Salva la Selva, Spain
Som Mobilitat SCCL, Spain
STACYL Valladolid, Spain
UNIÓN SINDICAL OBRERA, Spain
UNIÓN UNIVERSAL Desarrollo Solidario, Spain
Gami Seva Sevana, Sri Lanka
Afrikagrupperna, Sweden
Framtidsjorden Sweden, Sweden
LM international, Sweden
Pro Natura / Friends of the Earth Switzerland, Switzerland
Public Eye, Switzerland
Indigenous Taiwan Self-Determination Alliance, Taiwan
Mazingira Network - Tanzania (MANET), Tanzania
Sustainable Holistic Development Foundation (SUHODE), Tanzania
ALTSEAN-Burma, Thailand
Community Resource Centre, Thailand
NETWORK OF RURAL WOMEN PRODUCERS TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, Trinidad & Tobago
Association formes et couleurs oasienne, Tunisia
Uganda Peace Foundation , Uganda
Balanced Economy Project, United Kingdom
Bretton Woods Project, United Kingdom
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, United Kingdom
Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, United Kingdom
Compassion in World Farming, United Kingdom
Corner House, United Kingdom
Corporate Justice Coalition, United Kingdom
Debt Justice UK, United Kingdom
EcoNexus, United Kingdom
Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR), United Kingdom
Environmental Justice Foundation, United Kingdom
Equality Trust, United Kingdom
Farms not Factories, United Kingdom
Fresh Eyes, United Kingdom
Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Global Justice Now, United Kingdom
Health Poverty Action, United Kingdom
Law for Palestine, United Kingdom
London Mining Network, United Kingdom
New Economics Foundation, United Kingdom
North East Climate Justice Coalition , United Kingdom
One World Week, United Kingdom
Public and Commercial Services Union, United Kingdom
TimeBank Hull and East Riding, United Kingdom
Totnes REconomy Project, United Kingdom
Trade Justice Movement, United Kingdom
Transform Trade (formerly Traidcraft Exchange), United Kingdom
War on Want, United Kingdom
Women’s Budget Group, United Kingdom
350 Bay Area, United States of America
350 Wisconsin, United States of America
American Friends Service Committee, United States of America
Citizens Trade Campaign, United States of America
Climate Action Rhode Island, United States of America
Climate in your hands, United States of America
Corporate Accountability, United States of America
Holy Cross International Justice Office, United States of America
Honor The Earth, United States of America
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, United States of America
Institute for Policy Studies, Global Economy Project , United States of America
Just Transition Alliance, United States of America
Local Futures, United States of America
NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, United States of America
Occupy Bergen County, United States of America
People’s Green New Deal - Madison Wisconsin, United States of America
Public Citizen, United States of America
Rethink Trade, United States of America
Save Our Illinois Land, United States of America
Trade Justice Education Fund , United States of America
United Church of Christ, Justice and Local Church Ministries, United States of America
US El Salvador Sister Cities , United States of America
REDES-Amigos de la Tierra Uruguay, Uruguay
Yemeni Observatory for Human Rights, Yemen
