Campaign Reply - The Energy Charter Treaty

Thank you for contacting me about the Energy Charter Treaty.

I am aware that in September 2023, the Government announced that the UK would review its membership of the Energy Charter Treaty.

In 2022, the UK reached a landmark agreement to modernise the terms of the Energy Charter Treaty, maintaining its current benefits while supporting the transition to cleaner energy. The modernised treaty, for which the UK has been a strong advocate, was supposed to have been adopted in 2022. I understand that it would have a much stronger focus on promoting clean, affordable energy, such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage as well as hydrogen and other renewables. It would also strengthen the UK Government’s sovereign right to change its energy system to reach net zero and protect UK investors abroad.

However, several EU member states have decided to leave the treaty, leading to an impasse on modernisation. I am aware that Ministers in the UK have been reviewing the UK’s membership of the Energy Charter Treaty to support the transition to cleaner, cheaper and home-grown energy sources, in a mission to bolster energy security.

I am assured that as part of this review, Ministers have considered the views of a wide range of people and organisations, including non-governmental organisations, campaign groups, academia, thinktanks in the environment and development sectors, as well as business, civil society, and Parliament. Please be assured that I continue to follow this issue closely.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.