Shell wins appeal against landmark Dutch climate ruling on emissions cuts

Oil and gas giant Shell successfully appealed a 2021 Dutch court ruling that had required it to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. The ruling from The Hague’s appeals court dismissed the original decision, stating that Shell was already working toward meeting its emissions targets and that it was uncertain if imposing cuts on emissions from its products’ end-use would effectively combat climate change.

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The initial verdict had mandated that Shell lower its total carbon emissions, including those from product use, by 45% by 2030 from 2019 levels. However, while the appeals court acknowledged Shell’s responsibility to reduce emissions to help prevent global warming, it found that the specific demands of the original case may not align with the broader fight against climate change. The case was first brought by climate activists in 2019, arguing for stricter corporate accountability in emissions reduction.