Shell is facing a new lawsuit filed on April 21, 2026 by Friends of the Earth Netherlands, also known as Milieudefensie, demanding that the British energy major immediately stop investing in new oil and gas projects.
The case builds on a 2024 Dutch court ruling that Shell has a duty of care to reduce emissions, but the appeals court overturned a specific 45% target. The new lawsuit seeks to enforce a broader prohibition on new projects, extending the legal pressure that began with the 2021 Hague Court order and the 2024 appeal decision.
Shell has dismissed the lawsuit as "unreasonable, unrealistic and fundamentally misplaced," arguing that global fossil‑fuel demand remains and that halting production would simply shift capacity to other companies.
The litigation adds legal pressure to Shell’s transition strategy and could influence its investment decisions. Shell has recently scaled back renewable initiatives and relaxed emissions targets, while planning to increase LNG sales and maintain oil production beyond 2030, a strategy that the plaintiffs challenge.
The hearing date has not yet been set, and the outcome could set a precedent for climate litigation against major energy firms in the Netherlands.
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