Thank you for taking the time to contact me about the Energy Charter Treaty and EDM 1279. Members of the Government do not, by convention, sign any Early Day Motions, as doing so is likely to breach the Ministerial Code’s rules on collective responsibility. However, Britain has long advocated modernisation of this treaty, recognising the urgent need to address climate change and align the treaty with modern energy priorities, international treaty practice and climate commitments. In its unmodernised form, the treaty is focused on trade and investment in fossil fuels. Some major renewable energy technologies are outside its scope.
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