The ruling is seen as a victory for Shell: On Tuesday, the Court of Appeal in The Hague, Netherlands, overturned a 2021 verdict that obliged the oil company to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 45 percent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels.

Milieudefensie, the environmental protection organization that describes Shell as «one of the world's biggest climate polluters,» is the loser in the case. The organization had initially prevailed.

The judges have now declared that Shell has a duty to promote climate protection internationally. However, a specific percentage reduction in CO₂ emissions could not be imposed on the British company.

Verdict Is Contested

According to the court, a reduction in the production of natural gas, for example, could lead to a global increase in coal production, which would be significantly worse for the climate.

The case sets a precedent: Milieudefensie also sees the proceedings against Shell as a test case for its action against other large corporations, including banks. The organization announced on Tuesday that it would appeal the ruling.

An acquittal for Shell in the next instance would establish an international precedent.

In Switzerland, insurance companies and major banks have also repeatedly come under fire from environmental associations in the recent past, accussed of doing too little to combat climate change.