Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Safeguarding Democracy, Rights and the Environment

Thursday 18 May 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Geraint Davies is the trade rapporteur to the Council of Europe, presenting a report urging due diligence at borders to safeguard supply chains from human rights abuses and deforestation.
  • The UK promotes its values globally through multilateral systems such as the UN and WTO, according to the Minister's response to Geraint Davies.
  • Nia Griffith congratulated Geraint Davies on his report and questioned the UK's stance on the energy charter treaty used by fossil fuel companies to sue governments for climate policies.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Geraint Davies Lab
Foreign Affairs Business & Trade Environment
Context

The MP is a trade rapporteur to the Council of Europe and authored a report endorsed by 46 member states. The report calls for due diligence measures to prevent human rights abuses and deforestation in supply chains, emphasizing environmental protection over energy company interests.

Question

I am trade rapporteur to the Council of Europe. My report, agreed upon by 46 member states, urges due diligence at borders to safeguard supply chains from human rights abuse and deforestation, alongside strengthening environmental protections against energy companies' interests, particularly in dispute mechanisms. Will you meet me to advance these proposals so that our trade agreements support a green planet rather than tarnish it?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

I have read the hon. Member's report, which I enjoyed reading despite losing many hours of my life. There are good points raised, especially regarding China's emissions being greater than those of USA and EU combined. The UK promotes our values globally through multilateral systems such as UN, WTO, OSCE, and Council of Europe. I am willing to sit down with the hon. Member and discuss his report.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Meeting to advance specific proposals outlined in the report not directly committed to

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Climate Energy
Context

The MP congratulates Geraint Davies on his work regarding a report that criticizes the energy charter treaty, which fossil fuel companies use to sue governments over climate policies. The previous Minister had stated nearly a year ago that the UK cannot support an outdated treaty harmful to clean energy investment.

Question

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his work on this report, including criticism of the energy charter treaty used by fossil fuel companies to sue Governments for introducing climate policies. It has been nearly a year since another Minister stated that the UK cannot support such treaties due to their negative impact on clean energy investment and risk to taxpayers from costly legal challenges. When will the Government commit to withdrawing from this treaty like other major European countries?

Answer from Nusrat Ghani

The energy charter treaty is under review by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The former Departments of International Trade and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy collaborated on ECT negotiations with DIT leading investment provisions. Therefore, the hon. Lady's question would be better directed at the other Department.

Not addressed: Commitment to withdrawing from the Energy Charter Treaty not addressed

How: Directing The Question Elsewhere

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)