ISDS Case Map
environment
The EU-Mercosur Agreement continues with the narrative that it ensures environmental clauses and climate commitments, in practice it implements measures that could divert means and resources that could otherwise be used for a genuine, just, ecological and inclusive transition.
Progressive new trade policies and agreements driven by global environmental objectives, as well as decades-old attempts through the United Nations General Assembly to reshape the global trade system and decolonize it, offer some direction.
Over 120 civil society organizations and trade unions from Indonesia and Europe today call on the Indonesian government and the EU to stop the negotiations for the Indonesia-EU free trade agreement – the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The organizations warn that this agreement threatens the environment, climate, and the rights of women, Indigenous Peoples, workers, small farmers and fisherfolk.
Ecuador's largest Indigenous organization is vowing to fight a now-concluded free trade agreement with Canada, warning it could encourage human rights abuses in the ecologically and culturally diverse South American country.
2024 year in review: human rights and ISDS—continued convergence of human rights and the environment
2024 shows the continued convergence of human rights and the environment in the ISDS context.
Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) and WALHI (Friends of the Earth Indonesia) released a joint statement raises critical concerns about the proposed Indonesia-EU CEPA. It highlights the potential negative impacts of the agreement, particularly when coupled with Indonesia's Omnibus Law, on the environment, Indigenous communities, and biodiversity.
Indonesia won a WTO case against the EU regarding discriminatory biofuel regulations. The WTO ruled that the EU unfairly treated Indonesian palm oil-based biofuel, which the EU had deemed unsustainable due to deforestation concerns. This ruling is expected to impact the EU's anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR) and potentially speed up trade negotiations between Indonesia and the EU.
The EU desires open access to Indonesian nickel, crucial for its green transition, yet criticizes extractive practices in the Global South. Indonesia, however, seeks to develop its own processing industries and restrict raw material exports.
The EU-Mercosur trade deal does not only contradicts the EU's flagship legislation against global deforestation but will potentially force the European Commission and EU Member States into legal and political disputes over its implementation.
The Brazilian multinational JBS, the world's leading producer of animal proteins, is ready to use the trade agreement to increase its presence in Europe, which accounted for around 7% of its exports in 2024.
