Posts under ‘ClientEarth’

POSTED BY JOHN DONOVAN: JULY 24, 2023

In a thrilling legal drama, environmental law charity ClientEarth has tried its best to rain on Shell’s parade over its climate strategy. But alas, the high court in London has refused to allow the fun to continue.

How disappointing! We were all looking forward to the grand spectacle of Shell’s directors being held accountable for their so-called “duties” to shareholders.

ClientEarth, with its whopping 27 shares in Shell, had the audacity to argue that the energy giant’s current climate transition strategy is nothing more than a mere fantasy. They claim that Shell’s aim of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 is just a fairy tale. Oh, ClientEarth, why can’t you see the magic in Shell’s grand plans? read more

Posted 15 July 2023 by John Donovan

Oh, those pesky environment campaigners are at it again, engaging in yet another round of their never-ending fight with the hardworking directors of oil giant Shell. This time, it’s ClientEarth, who, as luck would have it, is also a shareholder in the company. They are up in arms about Shell’s so-called “climate change strategy” and have the audacity to make a claim about a “breach” of duties by the directors. How dare they? read more

Shell faces shareholder revolt over their laughably ‘inadequate’ climate change goals

Posted by John Donovan: 20 May 2023

Shell is bracing itself for an agonizing annual meeting next week, where it will attempt to juggle the demands for profits with the bothersome calls to address the climate crisis more forcefully.

Shell, that paragon of environmental stewardship, has drawn criticism for its outrageous earnings “bonanza” resulting from the skyrocketing oil and gas prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  read more

Shell’s “Climate-Friendly” Strategy Under Fire: ClientEarth’s Claim to Proceed, Because Who Cares About the Planet?

In a stunning display of corporate accountability, ClientEarth has been granted an oral hearing to pursue its derivative action claim against Shell, the notorious polluting giant. It seems like the courts are willing to entertain the idea that Shell might actually be responsible for something other than destroying the environment.

To the dismay of those seeking justice, the High Court of England and Wales initially denied permission for the lawsuit. But fear not! An oral hearing has been generously bestowed upon us, where ClientEarth will have the audacity to ask the judge to reconsider his decision. How noble of them! read more

Posted by John Donovan 16 May 2023

Shell Directors Escape Liability for Climate Policy in London Court Ruling

In a disappointing blow to environmental advocates, a London court has dismissed a lawsuit holding Shell’s directors accountable for their woefully inadequate climate policy. ClientEarth, a renowned law firm specializing in environmental cases, had personally taken on the fight, accusing the executives of failing to safeguard the company’s future by neglecting meaningful action against climate change. However, the High Court in London shockingly deemed the case too feeble to proceed. read more

CITYA.M.

Shell lawsuit: Institutional investors back legal challenge over climate risk

CITY AM REPORTER: SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2023

A group of European institutional investors is backing a novel London lawsuit against energy giant Shell’s board over alleged climate mismanagement in a case that could have far-reaching implications for how companies tackle emissions.

Client Earth, an environmental law charity turned activist Shell investor, said it had filed a High Court claim on Wednesday, alleging Shell’s 11 directors have failed to manage the “material and foreseeable” risks posed to the company by climate change – and that they are breaking company law. read more

The New York Times

A Lawsuit Against Big Oil Gets Personal

An activist group is going after Shell’s board members in court. The suit could make life unpleasant for the people who oversee big polluters.

By Somini Sengupta: Feb. 10, 2023

Is it risky to invest in oil and gas? Or is it risky not to?

Recent developments offer evidence of both. I want to unpack those developments today to better understand the future of petroleum in our lives.

On Thursday, the members of the board of directors of Shell, the oil giant, were sued in an English court. An activist group called ClientEarth, which is also a Shell shareholder, alleged that the board members are personally liable for failing to manage climate hazards. It’s the first such liability case against a company board and, depending on how it goes, it could make serving on an oil company board far riskier. read more

The Guardian

Shell directors personally sued over ‘flawed’ climate strategy

Claimants ClientEarth say the oil company’s plan puts the company at financial risk as the world transitions to clean energy

Damian Carrington Environment editor: Thu 9 Feb 2023 06.01 GM

The directors of oil major Shell are being personally sued over their climate strategy, which the claimants say is inadequate to meet climate targets and puts the company at risk as the world switches to clean energy.

Environmental lawyers ClientEarth have filed the lawsuit against the 11 directors at the high court in England. It is the first case in the world seeking to hold corporate directors liable for failing to properly prepare their company for the net zero transition, ClientEarth said. read more

REUTERS

Institutional investors back Shell board lawsuit over climate risk

By Kirstin Ridley: February 9, 20231:53 AM GMT

LONDON, Feb 9 (Reuters) – A group of European institutional investors is backing a novel London lawsuit against energy giant Shell’s (SHEL.L) board over alleged climate mismanagement in a case that could have far-reaching implications for how companies tackle emissions.

ClientEarth, an environmental law charity turned activist Shell investor, said it had filed a High Court claim on Wednesday, alleging Shell’s 11 directors have failed to manage the “material and foreseeable” risks posed to the company by climate change – and that they are breaking company law. read more

Shell’s Board Sued by Institutional Investors Over Lack of Climate Ambition

Shell Plc’s board faces a new front in climate litigation as a group of frustrated shareholders sue the oil giant’s directors in the UK.

Bloomberg News: Katharine Gemmell and William Mathis Published Feb 08, 2023

(Bloomberg) — Shell Plc’s board faces a new front in climate litigation as a group of frustrated shareholders sue the oil giant’s directors in the UK.

Two years after a Dutch court ordered Shell to slash its emissions, the group of investors are filing the first lawsuit of its kind against 11 members of the board, accusing them of failing to manage the company’s climate risks. read more

CNBC

Shell’s board of directors sued for ‘failing to properly prepare’ for the energy transition

PUBLISHED TUE, MAR 15 202210:14 AM EDT

• Environmental law firm ClientEarth, a Shell shareholder, said Tuesday that it had notified Shell of its claim against the company’s 13 executive and non-executive directors.
• It argues the board’s failure to implement a climate strategy that truly aligns with the landmark Paris Agreement is a breach of their duties under English law.
• In response to the legal action, Shell told CNBC via email that it was delivering on its global strategy that supported the Paris accord.

Shell’s board is being sued for failing to prepare the multinational oil and gas company for the transition away from fossil fuels.

Environmental law firm ClientEarth, a Shell shareholder, said Tuesday that it had notified Shell of its claim against the company’s 13 executive and non-executive directors. It argues the board’s failure to implement a climate strategy that truly aligns with the landmark Paris Agreement is a breach of their duties under English law. read more

REUTERS

Shell directors may face lawsuit over climate transition plans

Simon Jessop and Kirstin Ridley and Shadia Nasralla: March 14, 2022

LONDON — Environmental lawyers ClientEarth said on Tuesday they were preparing legal action against the directors of Shell over the company’s climate transition plan, in what they said would be the first such case of its kind.

ClientEarth said it had written to Shell notifying it of its claim and was waiting for it to respond before filing papers at the High Court of England and Wales. For the case to proceed, ClientEarth would then need permission from the court to do so. read more

The Guardian

Shell directors sued for ‘failing to prepare company for net zero’

Environmental law organisation ClientEarth brings action and urges other shareholders to join

The directors of Shell are being sued for failing to properly prepare the multinational oil and gas company for net zero.

In what is thought to be a first-of-its-kind action, the lawsuit brought by activist shareholders claims that Shell’s 13 directors are personally liable for failing to devise a strategy in line with the Paris agreement, which aims to limit global heating to below 2C by slashing fossil fuel emissions. read more