In international disputes between investors and host-States, the traditionally asymmetric nature of international investment agreements (IIAs) may prevent States from bringing claims against investors for harm caused, including environmental damage. At the same time, allowing host-State counterclaims for environmental damage is a potentially useful tool for rebalancing the asymmetric nature of IIAs. Yet, in the highly fragmented area of international investment law, the availability of host-State counterclaims is not always clear. This article analyses the procedural and legal bases available for host-State counterclaims for environmental damage, including newly developing human rights and transnational public policy approaches to such claims. The question that this article seeks to evaluate is to what extent host-State counterclaims are available to rebalance the asymmetric relationship between host-States and investors, specifically concerning environmental damage. To answer this question, the article takes a qualitative approach by examining case law, commentary, and the work of international organizations, and applying the results of the research to the specific context of host-State counterclaims for environmental damage. Future developments are also discussed in the context of ongoing multilateral investor-State dispute settlement reform efforts at the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. There currently exists a window of opportunity for States to seek cooperative, effective multilateral strategies for partially rebalancing the relationship between investment and the environment. The article posits that harmonization of State approaches towards counterclaims for environmental damage is desirable and States should take a permissive approach towards host-State counterclaims for environmental damage in their IIA treaty negotiation practice.

中文翻译：

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从人权和跨国公共政策的角度审视东道国在投资者与国家争端解决中对环境损害的反诉

在投资者与东道国之间的国际争端中，国际投资协定 (IIAs) 的传统不对称性质可能会阻止各国就所造成的损害（包括环境损害）向投资者提出索赔。同时，允许东道国对环境损害提出反诉是重新平衡国际投资协定不对称性质的潜在有用工具。然而，在高度分散的国际投资法领域，东道国反诉的可用性并不总是很清楚。本文分析了东道国对环境损害提出反诉的程序和法律依据，包括新发展的人权和针对此类诉求的跨国公共政策方法。本文试图评估的问题是，东道国的反诉在多大程度上可以重新平衡东道国和投资者之间的不对称关系，特别是在环境损害方面。为了回答这个问题，本文采用定性方法，通过研究判例法、评论和国际组织的工作，并将研究结果应用于东道国对环境损害提出反诉的具体背景。在联合国国际贸易法委员会正在进行的多边投资者-国家争端解决改革努力的背景下，还讨论了未来的发展。目前各国有机会寻求合作，部分重新平衡投资与环境之间关系的有效多边战略。文章认为，各国对环境损害的反诉应采取统一的做法，各国应在其国际投资协定条约谈判实践中对东道国对环境损害的反诉采取宽容的态度。