In the next 24 hours, a Dutch court will decide whether to throw out or uphold a landmark climate ruling against former Dutch British oil and gas major Shell. The ruling is expected mid-day Tuesday, in reaction to an appeal by Shell against a 2021 ruling by a Dutch court that ordered it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions sharply. In the 2021 ruling, Shell was ordered to cut its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030, in comparison to 2019 levels. At the same time, the 2021 court ruling included Scope 3 emissions, aka emissions produced by the use of Shell products. The outcome of the appeal's court on November 12 is still being determined, as it can go three ways. Upholding the former ruling, dismissing the total ruling, or modifying the former ruling by excluding Scope 3 emissions.
Any outcome tomorrow will make headlines, as the Shell case is definitely going to be part of the discussion at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. At the same time, both parties already indicated before the current ruling that a possible verdict could be appealed again at the Netherlands' Supreme Court.
