Addressing Climate Change through International Investment Agreements: Obstacles and Reform Options

Sheng Zhang () and Ni Li
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Sheng Zhang: School of Law, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Ni Li: School of Law, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: The current international investment treaty network is not well suited to climate goals. The tension stems from the fact that “old generation” of international investment agreements were concluded before the widespread climate action and they were “climate neutral” or “climate blind”. This study explores the obstacles for international investment agreements and investment arbitration to tackle climate change issues, indicating the need for reform. Despite the fact that some states have begun to reform their international investment agreements in light of climate change, there are still many shortcomings to be addressed. The current international investment agreement regime should be reformed to incorporate climate change considerations for investment arbitration to contribute to climate change mitigation. According to the findings, updating investment treaties based on a climate-oriented model would be a viable option for states.

Keywords: climate change; international investment agreements; investor–state dispute settlement; climate-oriented model investment treaty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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