June 13th, 2023, | 3pm CET | 4pm EAT | Zoom. Register

The Energy Charter Treaty: A threat to climate Action in Africa.

Can Africa avoid the slippery accession to the ECT?

The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is faced by an inevitable termination. Investors have taken advantage of the ECT to sue states for millions of Euros in arbitrary tribunals. In addition, they have used the threat of litigation under the ECT to undermine regulations intended to protect the environment. Efforts for modernization of the ECT have failed to gain support.  As a result, several European Union contracting parties have announced plans for withdrawal. 

The ECT secretariat launched a charm offensive against countries in the Global South. Persuading countries with vast energy resources, particularly in Africa to join the ECT with the promise that it will help attract investors in the energy sector and solve energy poverty. 

This webinar will provide in-depth insights into the ECT, what it means for Africa, its modernization, lessons from Europe and analysis of its ramifications for climate action in Africa.

The webinar will discuss:

• The ECT and ongoing efforts for modernization
• Legal realities for contracting parties: Lessons from Europe
• Undermining environmental and climate action policies: Regulatory chill
• Status of Africa member states: A slippery road to accession.
• Implications for Climate action: A case study of Uganda

Moderator:

• Charles Batte, Executive Director, Tree Adoption Uganda (TAU)

Panellists:

• Lukas Schaugg, International Law Analyst, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
• Hélionor de Anzizu, Staff Attorney, International Trade and Investment Law, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
• Lucía Bárcena Menéndez, Project Coordinator, Transnational Institute (TNI)
• Esther Kisembo, Action Aid Uganda (AAU)

The webinar is organized by TAU, AAU, IISD, CIEL and TNI