During the cold war period, European countries experienced serious problems with energy supply, and trade relations were reset. With the end of the Cold War, the area where countries communicated with each other the most and traded with each other was energy. It is the first step taken worldwide in energy trade after the Cold War.
Initially, the necessary issues of trade between countries were determined by creating the European Energy Charter Declaration. Thus, the energy supply process has been compatible with free market rules and based on transparent and competitive foundations. However, since the declaration's comprehensiveness needed to be improved, creating a treaty as desired. At this point, fifty countries came together in Lisbon and signed the European Union Energy Charter. Among these countries is Turkey. It made its laws appropriate by taking part in this agreement from the first day until 2000. In 2000, it accepted the direct agreement in the parliament and brought it into the same hierarchy as the laws of the Republic of Turkey. Many points related to energy trade have been determined with the relevant treaty. One of the essential points in sustainability is energy adequacy, another accepted topic.
The Energy Charter Agreement aims to maximize efficiency in energy production, conversion, transportation, storage, distribution, transmission, and use. Energy waste can still be prevented today with related substances that increase efficiency. It aims to increase energy efficiency and reduce the adverse effects of energy use on the environment. Since capitalist views do not affect this process, this agreement is critical. At the same time, with the relevant contract, cooperation was established for the member states to set clear political targets.
However, countries have started to leave the Energy Charter Agreement, which has been implemented for years and has inclusiveness. Those who want to ensure sustainability do not meet these differences with uneasiness. The contract also provides many privileges to investors. With these privileges, the use of fossil fuels is increased. Therefore, the investments that need to be made by increasing the amount necessary for developing renewable energy sources begin to decrease. While the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Climate Agreement, published and implemented by the European Union, aim to lead to renewable resources, investor relations regarding the purchase and sale of fossil fuels are regulated by the Energy Charter Agreement. In such a contradiction, it is evident that the Energy Charter Agreement has articles that need to be changed. All European countries must become parties to the Paris Convention and the Energy Charter Agreement. For the people of the countries that are members of the European Union, these two conventions are contradictory, and they get a reaction.
As a result, there are many contradictory articles between the Energy Charter Agreement, which regulates the investment relations regarding fossil fuel resources, and the Paris Agreement, which was created to prevent greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, articles related to energy efficiency were determined with the Energy Charter Agreement. At the same time, it is an agreement that is created to increase investments and provides many privileges to investors. Unless the Energy Charter Agreement is revised, its members will decrease and disappear with each passing day.
Author:
Buğçe Ağca
Source: