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 organisations1 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...

"This is a turning point in history. This case is unique because it is the first time a judge has ordered a large polluting company to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement. This ruling may also have major consequences for other big polluters."

Roger Cox, lawyer for Friends of the Earth Netherlands

The ruling from the court in The Hague will have major ramifications internationally:

"This is a landmark victory for climate justice. Our hope is that this verdict willtrigger 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.”

Sara Shaw from Friends of the Earth International

Main points from the verdict:

1. Royal Dutch Shell must reduce its emissions by 45% net by the end of 2030.
2. Shell is also responsible for emissions from customers (scope 3) and suppliers.
3. There is a threat of human rights violations to the ‘right to life’ and ‘undisturbed family life’.
4. Shell must comply with the judgment immediately, because Shell's current climate policy is not concrete enough...