Why Switzerland is diverging from Europe on a key energy treaty

The European Union will withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty, an international agreement that protects investments in coal and oil. But Switzerland is sticking to the agreement which scientists considered incompatible with climate goals. Why is Switzerland going its own way, and what could happen next? If you have never heard of it, you’re not alone. The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) is not well known to the public. But it has major consequences for the type of energy that heats our homes and powers our electronic devices. What is it all about? The ECT is an agreement initiated by the European Union (EU) for cooperation in the energy sector. It contains binding provisions that protect investment and trade. The ECT was created after the end of the Cold War with the aim of integrating the countries of the former Soviet Union into the European and global energy markets. It was signed in 1994 in Lisbon and entered into force in 1998. Originally, it offered additional guarantees to ...