The AfCFTA Protocol on Investment and Its Relevance to Climate and Environmental Goals- Submission to the OECD Public Consultation on Possible Positive Contributions of Investment Agreements to Achieving Climate and Environmental Goals

This is a pathway to research impact with international policy development through contributions to the OECD Public Consultation on the positive contributions of investment treaties to climate and environmental goals, supporting ongoing international investment treaty reform.
My research contributed to the OECD public consultation on the positive contributions of investment treaties to climate and environmental goals. The consultation was undertaken in response to requests from governments for further work on how investment agreements can advance green investment and climate and environmental policies, and was subsequently considered by policymakers at the OECD Track 1 Expert Meeting. This demonstrates the research's contribution to an international policy development process.

The research contributed to the OECD Public Consultation on the positive contributions of investment treaties to climate and environmental goals, which was initiated in response to requests from governments for further work on how international investment agreements can directly support green investment and climate and environmental policies. The publication of the research-based submission in the OECD Compilation of Submissions ensured that the research informed the evidence base available to governments and policymakers. The consultation was subsequently considered at the OECD Track 1 Expert Meeting on 4 November 2025, involving government representatives and international experts, providing a pathway for the research to contribute to international policy discussions on investment treaty reform and sustainable investment governance.

The underpinning research examines the reform of international investment agreements (IIAs) to ensure greater coherence between investment protection, sustainable development, climate governance, and international human rights obligations. It analyses how treaty design, investor–State dispute settlement (ISDS), and substantive investment protections can be reformed to better safeguard states' regulatory autonomy while promoting environmental protection and climate action