Friends of the Earth International positions on key trade and investment issues
Friends of Earth International’s vision is for a peaceful and sustainable world based on societies living in harmony with nature.
For over a two decade Friends of the Earth International and our member groups have opposed ‘corporate’ trade and investment regimes that put profits before people and the planet. This is because so-called ‘free’ trade agreements transfer enormous powers to multinational corporations, and undermine peoples fundamental rights to work, food and a clean environment.
These detrimental trade deals limit our ability to tackle climate change and social inequalities by locking in dirty industries and driving a race to the bottom. They hinder our efforts to protect the worlds forests and commons by promoting the unregulated exploitation of natural resources.
Corporate trade deals also undermine Food Sovereignty and security by enabling land grabbing, prohibiting policies that support local food systems and challenging safety, regulatory measures and non-tariff barriers to trade.