Friends of the Earth wins climate case against Shell
For the first time in history, a judge has held a corporation liable for causing dangerous climate change. Today, as a result of legal action brought by Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie) together with 17,000 co-plaintiffs and six other organisations the court in The Hague ruled that Shell must reduce its CO2 emissions by 45% within 10 years. This historic verdict has enormous consequences for Shell and other big polluters globally.
Donald Pols, director of Friends of the Earth Netherlands said:
“This is a monumental victory for our planet, for our children and a big leap towards a liveable future for everyone.The judge has left no room for doubt: Shell is causing dangerous climate change and must stop its destructive behaviour now.“
Roger Cox, lawyer for Friends of the Earth Netherlands, is also delighted:
“This is a turning point in history. This case is unique because it is the first time a judge has ordered a large polluting corporation to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement. This ruling may also have major consequences for other big polluters.”
Legal landslide
The ruling from the court in The Hague will have major ramifications internationally, said Sara Shaw from Friends of the Earth International:
“This is a landslide victory for climate justice. Our hope is that this verdict will trigger a wave of climate litigation against big polluters, to force them to stop extracting and burning fossil fuels. This result is a win for communities in the global South who face devastating climate impacts now.”
Donald Pols concluded:
“This verdict is an enormous step forward for the international climate movement. One of the world’s biggest polluters has finally been held responsible. I am filled with hope for the future, as we know that the climate crisis does not wait and does not stop at our borders. That is why it is so important that the judge is now forcing Shell to take responsibility for its actions. This is also a clear signal to the other big polluters must stop wrecking the climate.”
Read more on this story
- BBC – Shell: Netherlands court orders oil giant to cut emissions
- The New York Times – A Dutch court rules that Shell must step up its climate change efforts
- Le Monde – Shell et ExxonMobil fermement rappelés à l’ordre sur leur politique en faveur du climat
- Süddeutsche Zeitung – Schwarze Woche für das schwarze Gold
- El País – La justicia de Países Bajos ordena a Shell que reduzca sus emisiones de CO? en un fallo pionero
- Al Jazeera – Climate landmark: Court orders Royal Dutch Shell to cut emissions
- Corriere della Serra – Clima, il tribunale olandese ordina a Shell: «Tagli le emissioni del 45%»
- De Telegraaf – Shell verliest klimaatzaak: moet CO2-uitstoot bijna halveren
