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Switzerland won’t follow EU out of controversial energy treaty: official
(Climate Home News, 9 Feb 2023) Switzerland will not join the European Union’s proposed mass exit from a controversial energy investment protection treaty, according to the official responsible for engaging on the issue.
This week, the European Commission has proposed a joint EU exit from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), over fears its protections for fossil fuel investments will slow down climate action.
The United Kingdom’s government said it is “closely monitoring the situation”. The Swiss energy ministry’s Jean-Christophe Fueeg told Climate Home his country, which is not an EU member state, is not leaving.
The Swiss position has sparked fears that fossil fuel companies will restructure their investments through Switzerland in order to keep suing governments over climate action.
E3G campaigner Jonny Peters said: “As the EU looks set to exit the Energy Charter Treaty, there is certainly a risk of companies and law firms treaty shopping [in] Switzerland.”
Climate Home News, 9 Feb 2023: Switzerland won’t follow EU out of controversial energy treaty: official
