Two officials stated that European Union countries have collectively agreed to withdraw from an international energy treaty due to concerns that it undermines efforts to combat climate change.
European Union countries have collectively agreed to withdraw from an international energy treaty due to concerns that it undermines efforts to combat climate change.
The Energy Charter Treaty of 1998 allows energy companies to sue governments over policies that harm their investments, and the treaty has been used in recent years to undermine actions calling for the closure of fossil fuel facilities.
Officials from the European Union clarified that ministers from member states agreed on the withdrawal from the treaty during a meeting in Brussels.
The decision will be referred to the European Parliament for approval by lawmakers, which is highly anticipated as the Parliament previously urged withdrawal from the treaty.
Brussels first proposed coordinated withdrawal from the treaty in July after member states, including Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands, announced plans to withdraw citing climate change concerns.
EU countries postponed the decision, with some, like Cyprus and Hungary, opting to remain in the agreement, while others expressed concerns that efforts to update the treaty would be futile if they withdrew.
