Shell welcomes Dutch Court of Appeal ruling

The Court of Appeal of The Hague has overturned the District Court of The Hague’s 2021 ruling in the case brought against Shell plc by Milieudefensie, other NGOs, and a group of private individuals.

“We are pleased with the court’s decision, which we believe is the right one for the global energy transition, the Netherlands and our company,” said Shell plc Chief Executive Officer Wael Sawan.

“Our target to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 remains at the heart of Shell’s strategy and is transforming our business. This includes continuing our work to halve emissions from our operations by 20301. We are making good progress in our strategy to deliver more value with less emissions.”

The past few years have underscored the vital role of secure and affordable energy for both economies and people's daily lives. At the same time, the world faces the dual challenge of meeting growing energy demand while addressing the urgent issue of climate change. Significant strides have been made in transitioning to low-carbon energy, with governments introducing policies that foster investment and drive shifts in demand.

As Shell has previously noted, a court ruling would not diminish overall customer demand for products like petrol and diesel for cars, or gas for heating and powering homes and businesses. It would have little effect on emissions reduction, as customers would likely turn to alternative suppliers. Shell believes that effective government policies, along with investment and coordinated action across all sectors, will ultimately drive the progress needed to achieve net-zero emissions.