A Dutch court overturned the 2021 ruling requiring Shell to reduce its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030. However, the court upheld that Shell still has an obligation to reduce emissions, although it didn’t specify a target.
Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth), the environmental group that brought the case, expresses disappointment but remains determined to hold polluters accountable. “We will keep fighting until all polluters have adopted sustainable practices, Milieudefensie said. They may appeal to the Dutch High Court for a final decision.
Response Follow This
“The court’s decision to relieve Shell from the obligation to cut its carbon emissions by 45% is a setback in the fight against the climate crisis,” responds Follow This founder Mark van Baal.
He underlines the inconsistency of Shell advocating against emission reduction resolutions, while claiming to support the Paris Agreement.“The court states that the company has an obligation to reduce its emissions. Currently, Shell lacks targets for significantly reducing its Scope 3 emissions by 2030.”
Investors like BlackRock and Norges Bank, who have supported Shell’s current strategy, face increased pressure to align their actions with their climate commitments. “Investors must reconsider their support for Shell’s inadequate climate strategies and align their votes with their moral, environmental, and financial duties,” Van Baal says.
“The court’s decision makes clear that investors, the owners of the company, have a key role in holding the company to its climate obligations and steering them towards clean energy,” Van Baal adds.
