Dutch NGO Sues Shell to Stop New Oil and Gas Projects

The Hague, Netherlands: Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands) filed a lawsuit against Royal Dutch Shell demanding that the oil giant cease all new fossil fuel developments. The group contends that Shell’s ongoing investment in untapped oil and gas fields violates the Paris Agreement and previous court orders to cut emissions. Having won a landmark case in 2021 mandating a 45% emissions reduction, the NGO says Shell instead expanded hydrocarbons, ignoring climate obligations. Shell rejects the lawsuit as unrealistic, emphasizing the need for oil and gas during the energy transition. Observers worldwide watch closely: if successful, the suit might compel corporations to phase out new fossil projects under legal orders, redefining how courts can enforce climate goals.