France to leave energy treaty criticized by climate groups
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a media conference at an EU summit in Brussels, Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. European Union leaders gathered Friday to take stock of their support for Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia is trying to spark a refugee exodus by destroying his war-ravaged country's energy infrastructure. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)
BRUSSELS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that France will become the latest European Union country to leave an energy agreement which climate groups claim is being used by the fossil fuel industry to legally challenge environmental measures.
The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) entered into force in 1998 to protect foreign investment in the energy sector. Climate nongovernmental organizations have been calling for a mass EU withdrawal from the treaty.
Italy has already quit the ECT, while Spain and the Netherlands have also announced similar plans.
Germany’s ministry for economic affairs and climate action told The Associated Press earlier this week that a decision regarding the ECT within the federal government has yet to be taken.
“Minister (Robert) Habeck has repeatedly expressed his critical position on the ECT and its possible negative effects on climate action,” the ministry said.
German utility company RWE has used the ECT to start legal action against the Netherlands, alleging that the government failed to allow adequate time and resources to transition away from coal. The case may have partly motivated the Netherlands’ decision to quit the treaty.
As part of EU Green Deal policies, member countries agreed last year that the treaty needs to be revised to discourage all further investments in fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure projects, “unless they are fully consistent with an ambitious, clearly defined pathway towards climate neutrality,” in line with United Nations targets.
Macron last month called for a ” massive acceleration ” of renewable energy development in his country, including offshore wind farms and solar power, via a new plan that seeks to bring lagging France closer to the energy policies of its EU neighbors.
The move comes amid a major energy crisis in Europe aggravated by Russia’s war in Ukraine. Macron also wants France to gain more independence in terms of electricity production through investments in the nuclear sector.
“Today I watch with concern the return of not only transition energies, but also hydrocarbons and the most polluting fossil energies,” Macron said. “The war on European soil should not make us forget our climate requirements and our imperative to reduce our CO2 emissions. Withdrawing from this treaty is part of our strategy.”
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Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this story.
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