As the UK and countries around the world grapple with wildfires, droughts and growing water shortages, a UK mining company is suing Morocco for $1.2 billion (£880 million) after the country rejected plans for a new mine on environmental grounds.
Moroccan authorities rejected Emmerson PLC’s proposed mine because of the project’s high water consumption and the effect on local water resources – a serious concern in a country already facing growing water scarcity. But now, the company is demanding billions from the Moroccan government as ‘compensation’.
This is possible because of something called ‘Investor-State Dispute Settlement’, or ISDS. ISDS is a clause in trade deals. It allows corporations to sue countries in secretive ‘corporate courts’ when governments implement policies corporations don’t like – including policies that protect people and planet.
The UK is one of the worst offenders in Europe for taking advantage of this rigged system. We should be protecting people and planet, not helping corporations punish countries that do.
Two new ministers, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Trade Minister Anas Sarwar, have just taken up their posts overseeing the UK's trade policy. They have the power to help end ISDS – but they need public pressure to act.
Write to them now and tell them to end ISDS and shut down these secret corporate courts.
