Media advisory: Netherlands court rules that Shell must reduce its emissions
On Wednesday, the District Court of The Hague ruled that Shell must cut its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. This includes the emissions associated with burning oil and gas (“scope 3” emissions), and therefore, in effect, is a ruling that Shell must reduce its fossil fuel production.
The case is the first to hold an oil company liable for climate change. The ruling comes after Milieudefensie — the Dutch arm of Friends of the Earth — joined several other non-profits and 17,000 individuals to file a lawsuit against Royal Dutch Shell plc. in 2019.
SEI Senior Scientist Peter Erickson wrote a letter to the court in December, concluding that a Shell-commissioned report on oil and gas production was misleading and concluding that restricting Shell’s production would help reduce CO2 emissions.
“Today’s verdict is in line with the research: if oil majors like Shell reduce their fossil fuel production, it will help reduce global CO2 emissions, as necessary to meet climate goals,” Erickson said. “Limiting fossil fuel production is a necessary step, among many, to keep global warming to 1.5°C, as agreed in the Paris Agreement.”
For interviews and further information, contact:
Peter Erickson, Senior Scientist and Climate Policy Program Director, SEI’s US Center
Emily Yehle, Senior Communications Officer, SEI’s US Center
emily.yehle@sei.org; +1.202.744.9055
Annika Flensburg, Press Officer, SEI Headquarters
annika.flensburg@sei.org; +46 73 901 60 11
Additional information:
Read Peter Erickson’s letter to the court here.
Read the 2020 Production Gap Report, which finds that keeping warming to 1.5°C implies an annual reduction in oil and gas production of about 4% and 3%, respectively.
Stockholm Environment Institute is an international non-profit research and policy organization that tackles environment and development challenges. We connect science and decision-making to develop solutions for a sustainable future for all. Across our eight centres in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, we engage with policy processes, development action and business practice throughout the world. www.sei.org @SEIresearch @SEIclimate