Pirate's Cove

Shell should give the Netherlands what they’re asking, and refuse to sell fossil fuels to all things Netherland

Netherlands Group to Shell: Stop Wrecking the Climate, Or We Will Sue

Royal Dutch Shell received an ultimatum from a climate activist group on Wednesday, demanding the company help address climate change or face legal consequences.

Friends of the Earth Netherlands / Milieudefensie, a national organization with 65 local chapters, delivered a liability letter to the Dutch oil giant demanding it cut back on its oil and gas production to align with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

“Many of us are doing [our] best to put an end to the climate problem. In the meantime, Shell continues to invest in new oil and gas sources. Shell, just like the rest of us, should take its responsibility to stop wrecking the climate,” said Milieudefensie director Donald Pols.

Under Dutch law, Shell, which is headquartered in the Netherlands and is one of the largest oil companies in the world, has eight weeks to comply with the demands or face a lawsuit by the organization.

“Shell was informed in the liability letter that was sent today, that the company has a legal duty to bring its policy in line with the Paris climate agreements,” said Milieudefensie attorney Roger Cox, who successfully led a case by Dutch citizens in 2015 requiring the government to curtail the country’s emissions to address the climate crisis.

The Netherlands is dependent on fossil fuels for over 90% of their energy consumption. They are “the most dependent on fossil fuels of any country in Western Europe.” I wonder what would happen if Shell moved their headquarters out of the Netherlands and did refuse to sell fossil fuels in the nation?

Milieudefensie is inviting all Dutch citizens to register as co-plaintiffs.

Yet, all these people, and I would bet all the members of the Friends Of the Earth Netherlands, have fossil fueled vehicles.