Shell case puts spotlight on energy groups’ role in climate change

Litigation against fossil fuel companies is not new. But until now the focus has largely been on liability suits, asking corporations to pay damages for past behaviour. Attention is now shifting to so-called human rights-based cases which have the potential to redraw the future business models and plans of corporate polluters. These cases are designed to advance climate policies, say their backers, raise public awareness and drive behavioural shifts by entire industries.

Comment: Climate Change Litigation is now firmly on the increases and finally having an impact. The Shell case is one of many that are targeting the fossil fuel sector. Since this article in the FT was published the case has been lost by Shell who have been ordered by the Dutch court to pay compensation for oil spills in Nigeria see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-55853024. Whether this will ever be done is another matter, but the litigation ‘publicity’ is ramping up against the oil companies.