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AMSTERDAM An opposition group that beat Shell in the battle for energy supremacy has warned Shell’s board that it could be held responsible if it fails implement the Dutch court order.
Last year, the Hague District Court ordered Shell to reduce carbon emissions by it, its suppliers, and customers by 45% by 2030, starting at 2019 levels. This landmark decision could have significant implications for energy companies around world.
Shell appeals against the ruling.
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Friends of the Earth/Milieudefensie stated that it sent a letter on Sunday to the company’s boards and individual representatives, including CEO Ben van Beurden. It said it was not taking any action to implement the verdict.
Shell appealed but the court declared that the judgment was provisionally enforceable. This means that the climate action required cannot be suspended pending appeal, the group stated in its letter, which was seen by Reuters.
Milieudefensie believes Shells directors are at risk of future liability if they fail to act in accordance with the goal to almost half global CO2 emissions by 2030.
Shell, which claims it adheres to the ruling in all respects, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
The company appealed in March to the court, arguing that it was wrongly held responsible for emissions it couldn’t control.
Shells targets include reducing its emissions by 50% by 2030. However its strategy includes carbon storage and offsets, rather than outright reductions. (Reporting by Toby Sterling, Editing by Robert Birsel
