The Earth Institute Columbia University

Decommissioning of Offshore Oil and Gas Infrastructure

In the global transition to renewable energy systems, it will be necessary to shut down and decommission oil and gas infrastructure. The shift away from fossil fuels reinforces the need to ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

Should the European Union Fix, Leave or Kill the Energy Charter Treaty?

In the early 1990s, the European Economic Community—the predecessor of the European Union (EU)—spearheaded an initiative to promote international cooperation in the energy sector, particularly with ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

Corporate Net-Zero Pledges: The Bad and the Ugly

To examine how industry giants incorporate climate considerations into their business plans, this analysis considers companies that are ranked within the top ten of their sectors based on market ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

Proposed Standing Multilateral Mechanism for Investor-State Disputes: Navigating the Negotiations

The Secretariat’s Note refers to the creation of a “standing multilateral mechanism.” The draft text (draft provision 1) envisions the creation of a “Multilateral Investment Tribunal” (“the Tribunal”) ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

The UNCITRAL Working Group III Work Plan: Locking in a Broken System?

This week is one that is make or break for the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Working Group III’s efforts to reform investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). WGIII is ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

Unlocking Expectations: UNCITRAL Working Group III Finalized its First Drafts - Does it Deliver?

After six years of intense discussions, UNCITRAL's Working Group III (WGIII) is set to deliver its first outputs to the Commission in July 2023. These outputs consist of several significant documents, ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

Advocates Say ISDS Is Necessary Because Domestic Courts Are ‘Inadequate,’ But Claims and Decisions Don’t Reveal Systemic Failings

Proponents of including investor–state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions in treaties, contracts, and even national laws argue that ISDS is necessary because domestic courts are “inadequate.” [2] ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

Harms from Concentrated Industries: A Primer

CCSI’s new report Harms from Concentrated Industries: A Primer looks at the rise of market concentration and the significant challenges it poses to sustainable development. Market concentration within ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

The Other Half of the Transition: Why Livestock Deserves as Much Attention as Energy

When people think of climate solutions, images of solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles usually come to mind – and for good reason. In 2022 alone, global investments in clean energy ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

Climate Action Needs Investment Governance, Not Investment Protection and Arbitration

Note: CCSI submitted a response to the OECD public consultation on investment treaties and climate change that builds on the text of this piece. Existing investment treaties do not and cannot advance ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

Citizen Participation, Politics and Power in the Extractive Sector - The Experience of a Global Civil Society Movement (David vs Goliath)

The word “politics” comes from the Greek word polis ("city-state"), which is associated with a range of meanings from "the rights of citizens" to a "form of government". Citizen participation in ...
The Earth Institute Columbia University

Distinguishing Among Climate Change-Related Risks

Understanding the diverse types of climate change-related risks is crucial for developing effective strategies to address the global climate crisis. A holistic yet disaggregated approach allows for a ...