The Dutch court hears Shell's appeal against historic climate ruling

Shell is attempting to convince The Hague judges to overturn a historic judgment that reduced greenhouse gas emissions, to prevent climate change-related legal action.

Shell is attempting to persuade judges in The Hague this week to overturn a historic judgment that reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This is a carefully watched test of polluters' abilities to stave off legal action related to climate change.

Attorneys from the British firm Clifford Chance will contend that the decision ordering the oil and gas business to reduce its emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 was unconstitutional and outside the court's authority.

Following Friends of the Earth's landmark victory in May 2021 at The Hague district court, non-profit organizations filed many imitative lawsuits against big corporations, most notably those against BNP Paribas and TotalEnergies.

Milieudefensie's director, Donald Pols, told the Financial Times that the organization could be able to reaffirm its argument in light of the recent record-breaking global temperatures, heatwaves, floods, and crop failures that have affected several parts of the world since the first ruling. 

Shell recently abandoned a 2035 emissions reduction objective while maintaining a net zero aim by 2050, softening some of its climate ambitions to allow plans to continue expanding its massive gas business. By 2030, the corporation wants to reduce its carbon intensity by 15-20%. Between April 2 and April 12, both parties will present their cases, and a decision is anticipated in the latter part of this year.