European Commission aims to end secret system protecting fossil fuel holdings

Proposal aims to reform energy charter treaty that protects multi-billion-pound investments in Europe

The use of secret corporate panels to protect multi-billion-pound fossil fuel investments within Europe could come to an end after a move by the European Commission.

Windfall payouts such as a recent 210m award to the British oil firm Rockhopper would no longer be possible between EU states under a new proposal to reform the energy charter treaty (ECT).