France to leave energy treaty criticised by climate groups

French President Emmanuel Macron (Olivier Matthys/AP)

President Emmanuel Macron has said that France will become the latest European Union country to leave an energy agreement which climate groups claim is being used by the fossil fuel industry to legally challenge environmental measures.

The Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) entered into force in 1998 to protect foreign investment in the energy sector. Climate non-governmental organisations have been calling for a mass EU withdrawal from the treaty.