On 26 May a Dutch court ordered the oil giant Shell to reduce its global carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 in a landmark ruling. That Shell is finally being held accountable for its role in the climate crisis is a victory not only for Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie) and the more than 17,000 co-plaintiffs who brought the case, but for the entire global movement against the fossil fuel industry.
But despite the excitement that we at action coalition #ShellMustFall share, we want to remind the world: litigation will not be enough to stop Shell’s leaders from damaging our planet.
If Shell were to adhere to the verdict, which explicitly includes so-called ‘Scope 3 emissions’ (emissions generated from the suppliers and customers of Shell’s products), it would have to substantially cut its oil production, stop developing new oil fields and cease any marketing and lobbying that could increase the sale of its products.
