Shell faces Dutch court in case testing how Paris climate goals apply to businesses

(Climate Home News, 17 Dec 2020) Green groups have taken Royal Dutch Shell to court in the Netherlands, in a case testing whether the Paris Agreement can be used to force oil companies to radically change their business model.

Campaigners say that Shell is breaching its international climate obligations and threatening the lives of these citizens by continuing to invest billions of dollars each year in the production of fossil fuels. 

Seven environmental groups, including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth the Netherlands, also known as Milieudefensie, filed the lawsuit against Shell in April last year, on behalf of over 17,000 Dutch citizens.

They are demanding that Shell cut its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050, compared to 2019 levels, in line with the toughest 1.5C temperature limit in the Paris pact. This would force one of the world’s largest energy companies to quickly phase down production of oil and gas and invest in clean energy sources instead.

Four public hearings took place in December in the district court of the Hague, where Shell has its headquarters, concluding on Thursday. A verdict is expected in May next year. 

External link

Climate Home News, 17 Dec 2020: Shell faces Dutch court in case testing how Paris climate goals apply to businesses