On November 12, 2024, a civil court in Den Haag overturned the historic climate judgment against the oil company Shell in 2021. This ruling at first instance had obliged Shell to reduce its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019. The new decision by the Court of Appeal now marks a bitter setback for climate activists worldwide, who had celebrated the 2021 ruling as a milestone in the fight against climate change (1, 2, 3).
Why was the Shell judgment overturned?
The court in Den Haag lacked a reliable basis for calculating this figure of “45 percent by 2030” in the original ruling. Although the court confirmed the responsibility of companies such as Shell for climate protection, it argued that specific reduction targets should be set by politicians (1, 2).
Shell nevertheless responsible for CO2 reduction
Despite this disappointment, there is reason for hope. The court has confirmed Shell’s fundamental responsibility for reducing its CO2 emissions. This provides a basis for future legal action (2). The Dutch environmental organization Milieudefensie, the main plaintiff in the original case, has already announced its intention to appeal. Their commitment shows that the fight for climate justice continues (1).
Climate action more important than ever
At Protect the Planet, we see this ruling as confirmation of our strategy. The constitutional complaint recently filed by Greenpeace and Germanwatch against the German government’s inadequate climate policy, which we support, is aimed precisely at what the court in The Hague is calling for: clear political guidelines for climate protection measures (2). We remain determined to make our contribution to climate protection. Because if there’s one thing NGOs can do, it’s stick at it and not give up.
Working together for a climate-friendly future
The Shell ruling may have been overturned, but of course we are not discouraged. Stay informed about our work and support us in our fight for climate justice: sign up for our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any updates. Together we can make a difference – for our climate, for our planet and for future generations.
