Joana Setzer, Associate Professor at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, said: 

“The Dutch Court of Appeal has today reaffirmed that Shell has a responsibility to respect human rights by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.  

“While the Court dismissed the claim, the judgment also offers encouragement for future climate litigation. It reinforces the principle that companies must take meaningful action to reduce emissions and highlights the growing legal focus on corporate accountability in the face of climate change. More than 20 other cases are currently examining the human rights responsibilities of companies regarding climate change. 

“The Court hints that achieving drastic emissions reductions by 2030 will likely necessitate limiting fossil fuel supply. Shell’s continued investments in new oil and gas projects appear increasingly incompatible with this imperative.”  

Noah Walker-Crawford, Research Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, said: 

“This ruling leaves it up to scientists to translate global emissions reduction goals into specific targets for individual sectors and companies. It provides a clear foundation for evidence to drive future cases to success.

“According to the Court, there is no scientific consensus yet on a sectoral standard for oil and gas, which can then be translated and applied to an individual company. However, research in this field is advancing rapidly to bridge the gap between global emissions reduction goals and specific actionable targets.”  

ENDS

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