This Website uses cookies. By using this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies and to the terms and conditions listed in our data protection policy. Read more

Working Paper No. 1450

Investment Treaty Reform when Regulatory Chill Causes Global Warming

Working Paper
Reference
Horn, Henrik (2022). “Investment Treaty Reform when Regulatory Chill Causes Global Warming”. IFN Working Paper No. 1450. Stockholm: Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IFN).

Author
Henrik Horn

State-to-state investment protection treaties, and the Energy Charter Treaty in particular, are alleged to dissuade host countries from regulating foreign-owned investment with adverse climate impact. This paper examines implications of treaty reforms that have been proposed as remedies for such regulatory chill. It finds that an increased carve-out, and reduced compensation in case of regulation, can address the stranded investment problem, but might not be accepted by both parties to the agreement. Disallowing investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) solves the chill less effectively, but is more acceptable to both parties. Shortening of a sunset period applicable to unilateral withdrawal will tend to worsen the problem.

Henrik Horn

+46 (0)8 665 45 40
henrik.horn@ifn.se