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Friends of the Earth International expresses deep frustration with the July 16, 2019, Revised Draft of the UN Binding Treaty, claiming it dilutes the scope of the instrument by shifting focus from transnational corporations to all business activities. While the organization acknowledges the integration of victims' rights and human rights coverage, it argues the draft only sets obligations for States and fails to create international jurisdiction or direct obligations for corporations. The organization calls for a more ambitious text ahead of the October 2019 IGWG session to end corporate impunity and prioritize human rights over profit.

Friends of the Earth International expresses frustration with the Revised Draft of the UN's legally binding instrument for regulating transnational corporations, claiming it dilutes the focus on transnational entities and fails to establish direct corporate obligations, instead placing responsibility solely on States.

The report examines the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system, describing it as a "parallel justice system" that privileges wealthy investors and multinational corporations over public interests. Through ten case studies across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the document illustrates how ISDS is used to challenge environmental protections, public health measures, and land rights. It specifically criticizes the European Union's efforts to institutionalize the system through the Investment Court System (ICS) and a proposed Multilateral Investment Court, arguing these reforms do not address the fundamental imbalance of power. The report concludes that ISDS creates a "regulatory chill," where governments avoid passing progressive laws to avoid multi-billion dollar lawsuits, and calls for the complete dismantling of these "VIP courts."

This document is a written contribution from Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) to the UN's open-ended working group (IGWG) regarding a proposed legally binding treaty to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in relation to human rights. FoEI analyzes the 'Zero Draft' presented in 2018, arguing that it is too weak to end corporate impunity and represents a setback compared to previous 'Elements' papers. The document details specific legal gaps in the draft—such as the lack of direct obligations for corporations and insufficient definitions of value chains—and includes testimonies from affected peoples across different continents calling for an international court and the primacy of human rights over investment agreements.

This report by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) provides a critical analysis of the 'Zero Draft' of a proposed UN legally binding instrument to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in relation to human rights. FoEI argues that the draft is too weak, lacks essential principles, and fails to provide effective mechanisms to end corporate impunity. The document includes general comments on the draft's structure, specific contributions from FoEI representatives across different continents, and recommendations for the revised version of the treaty to be presented at the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG).

This written submission by Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) analyzes the 'Zero Draft' of a proposed UN legally binding instrument to regulate transnational corporations (TNCs) and other business enterprises in regarding human rights. FoEI argues that the Zero Draft is too weak, lacks direct obligations for corporations, and fails to provide effective mechanisms to end corporate impunity, calling for a revised version that prioritizes human rights over commercial interests.

The report examines the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system, detailing ten case studies where corporations used international arbitration to challenge national laws and court rulings related to environmental protection, public health, and indigenous rights. It argues that ISDS creates a 'regulatory chill' where governments avoid passing public interest laws to avoid astronomical fines. The document specifically critiques the European Union's proposed Investment Court System (ICS) and Multilateral Investment Court, claiming these reforms only address procedural issues while maintaining the substantive imbalance that privileges investors over sovereign states and human rights.

The report examines the systemic injustices of the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) regime, using ten case studies to demonstrate how corporations use international arbitration to bypass domestic courts and challenge public interest laws. It highlights the 'regulatory chill' effect, where the threat of multi-billion dollar lawsuits deters governments from implementing climate, health, and environmental protections. The document specifically criticises the European Union's proposed reforms, arguing that the Investment Court System (ICS) and the Multilateral Investment Court maintain the same substantive investor privileges that allow corporations to claim compensation for lost future profits and ignore human rights obligations.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) critiques the 'Zero Draft' of the UN binding treaty on transnational corporations (TNCs) and human rights, describing it as a 'setback' and 'way too weak'. FoEI argues that the draft fails to establish direct legal obligations for TNCs, lacks a robust definition of 'value chains', and does not sufficiently prioritize human rights over trade and investment agreements. The document calls for the creation of an International Court on TNCs and Human Rights to end corporate impunity, particularly in the Global South. It further denounces the European Union's disengagement from the process and the influence of corporate lobbies, such as the International Organization of Employers, which FoEI claims threaten to 'capture' the treaty process.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) argues that the Zero Draft presented by the IGWG is too weak and fails to establish a robust mechanism to end the impunity of transnational corporations. The organization advocates for the primacy of human rights over trade and investment agreements, the establishment of an international tribunal for TNCs, and the inclusion of direct legal obligations for corporations rather than relying on voluntary principles or state-centric responsibilities. FoEI also criticizes the European Union for its lack of constructive participation and for favoring corporate interests over human rights.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI) argues that the 'Zero Draft' presented by Ecuador for the UN binding treaty on transnational corporations (TNCs) is too weak to end corporate impunity. FoEI advocates for the treaty to establish direct legal obligations for TNCs, prioritize human rights over trade and investment agreements, and create an international tribunal for corporate human rights violations. The document criticizes the European Union for its lack of substantive participation and warns against 'corporate capture' of the negotiation process, emphasizing the need for a gender perspective and the protection of human rights defenders.

Friends of the Earth International and Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific condemn recent attacks in Sri Lanka that killed over 250 people and injured more than 500, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and advocating for a society built on love, nature, and equity rather than violence and neoliberal models.

Friends of the Earth International and Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific condemn recent attacks in Sri Lanka that caused over 250 deaths and 500 injuries, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and advocating for peaceful actions to counter the effects of the neoliberal model.

Friends of the Earth International and Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific condemn recent violent attacks in Sri Lanka that resulted in over 250 deaths and 500 injuries. The organization calls for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and argues that peace and equality cannot be achieved through violence, linking global instability and environmental destruction to the current neoliberal model.

The statement argues that the escalation of murders and persecution of social movement leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean is a result of 'neoliberalism’s programmatic fundamentalism' and an 'architecture of impunity'. It claims that transnational corporations and imperialistic forces drive this violence to protect profits derived from 'economic and environmental corporatization and financialization'. The signatories call for the creation of an 'internationalist front against fascism' to protect defenders of territories and fundamental rights and to end the cycle of impunity where perpetrators remain unidentified.

The statement denounces a 'systematic policy of extermination' against social actors and defenders of territories and people's rights in Latin America and the Caribbean. It attributes this violence to a neoliberal model of 'privatization and financialization' driven by imperialist forces and multinationals, which results in the spoliation of environmental heritage and the murder of activists. The authors highlight a pervasive 'architecture of impunity' where perpetrators remain free, and they call for the construction of an international front to combat this 'fascism' and protect the lives of those defending common goods and fundamental rights.

A collective call for solidarity and justice following the murders of activists in Costa Rica, Colombia, and Brazil, attributing the violence to a neoliberal model and a 'cowardly architecture of impunity' supported by imperialist forces and transnational corporations.

The document examines how mega-mergers and the 'financialization' of agriculture have concentrated control of the food chain in a few giant corporations. It highlights the emerging threat of 'big data' platforms, which allow tech and agribusiness giants to monopolize information, further marginalizing small farmers. The report details negative impacts including reduced farmer autonomy, environmental degradation, and labor exploitation, while advocating for agroecology and the protection of peasant rights as a sustainable alternative.

The document examines how mega-mergers and the integration of Big Data are consolidating power within the global agri-food system, marginalizing small farmers and increasing environmental risks.

The document argues that the global food system is experiencing unprecedented power concentration driven by mega-mergers and the financial sector, now further accelerated by Big Data technologies. This consolidation allows a small group of agri-food giants to control the value chain from seeds and chemicals to retail, squeezing small-scale farmers' incomes and reducing their autonomy. The author warns that the 'Big Data platform'—utilizing AI, sensors, and blockchain—shifts commercial advantages to those with the most data, potentially marginalizing peasant food webs. The briefing advocates for agroecology and the protection of small-scale producers' rights as a sustainable alternative to the industrial model.