In the sixth episode of the Investigate Europe podcast, IE’s French correspondent Leïla Miñano speaks with host Oliver Moldenhauer about the latest investigation into the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT).

Signed in the 1990s, the Energy Charter Treaty is a pact that was designed to attract foreign investors to countries that were contracting parties. Today, this little-known treaty could become a threat to the EU and its member states in achieving its climate goals. The ECT gives foreign investors to sue states before international arbitration courts if the investor feels that environmental regulations violate the principle of “fair and equitable treatment”.  In the years to come, the threat of ECT lawsuits could prevent states from adopting ambitious climate policies. Put plainly, as Miñano explains, this is already happening.

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