Luxembourg – Greenpeace in Norway and Natur og Ungdom’s (Young Friends of the Earth Norway) climate lawsuit against the state of Norway will be heard today in the supranational European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Court regarding the legality of three oil and gas fields in the North Sea.

“It is the Norwegian State who requested that the EFTA Court review this case. We see this merely as a tactic from the State to make this court case longer, more complex and more expensive. However, we have a strong case and we know that Norway’s arguments won’t stand the test of time,” said Gytis Blaževičius, head of Natur og Ungdom.

In January 2024, in a historic win for Greenpeace Norway and Natur og Ungdom, the Oslo District Court found the approvals of three oil and gas fields in the North Sea invalid — Norwegian authorities failed to carry out appropriate impact assessments of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) as they did not take emissions from combustion into account. These GHG emissions, known as Scope III, account for approximately 95% of the climate harmful effects of the project.[1]

The Norwegian government appealed and requested that a key question on the case, namely regarding Scope III emissions, be sent to the EFTA Court in Luxembourg for an advisory opinion on how the European Union Environmental Impact Assessment Directive should be interpreted.[2] This appeal was launched after the British Supreme Court, in a very similar case, found an oil development in the UK illegal because the authorities had not carried out environmental impact assessments from burning the oil and gas. 

Judgments by the British Supreme Court judges and the Norwegian court both state that under the EU Project Directive, the combustion emissions of a project are in fact considered “effects” of said project, and thus, there is a duty to carry out an impact assessment of these emissions before approving new oil and gas fields.[3] 

“The interpretation of the Directive has never been clearer. The UK’s highest court and Oslo District Court agree with our interpretation. We are therefore optimistic that the EFTA Court will read the Directive in the same way, and conclude that Norway acted unlawfully when approving oil and gas fields without the necessary impact assessments of combustion emissions,” said Frode Pleym, Head of Greenpeace in Norway.

After the hearing, the EFTA Court will provide guidance on how the EU Project Directive should be interpreted. When the case returns to the Norwegian Court of Appeals next year, this advisory opinion will carry significant weight. 

ENDS

Notes

Background to the case 

Live stream of the proceedings

[1] The 95% figure is calculated by Greenpeace Nordic and submitted as a claim to the European Court of Human Rights in Additional Observation of 16 August 2024, in app. no. 34068/21, Greenpeace Nordic and others v. Norway (p. 29)

[2] Request for an Advisory Opinion from the EFTA Court by Borgarting Court of Appeal 

[3] Before planning permission can be granted for a development project which is likely to have significant effects on the environment, legislation in the United Kingdom (and many other countries) requires an environmental impact assessment (“EIA”) to be carried out. 

Contacts:

Juni Haugan Holden, Communications Officer, Greenpeace Norway: juni.haugan.holden@greenpeace.org, +47 974 84 814

Frode Pleym, Head of Greenpeace in Norway: frode.pleym@greenpeace.org, +47 97 30 73 78

Klimentina Radkova,Climate and Energy Advisor and Legal Campaigner, Greenpeace Norway: klimentina.radkova@greenpeace.org, +4796846288 

Gytis Blazevicius, Head of Natur og Ungdom (Young Friends of the Earth Norway): gytisb@nu.no, +47 452 97 542

Greenpeace International Press Desk: pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours).

Follow @greenpeacepress for our latest international press releases.

Dear changemakers, thank you for all that you’ve done this year. 

Reflecting on 2024, we endured yet another year filled with climate catastrophes, political unrest and international inequality. But even through these challenging times we can find hope in our collective actions and victories, no matter how big or small. Together, we can pave the way forward towards a better future. 

Dear Earth, thank you for continuing to show up every day for us. 

Across the globe, people took bold steps to care for the planet. 2024 showed us the strength of coming together with purpose and passion. These efforts may not solve every challenge overnight, but they are the building blocks of creating lasting change. 

Dear Earth citizens, we invite you to take moments to appreciate living on this planet. 

The journey that we are on is a long one, so friends, take care of yourself as we heal the world together. What lies ahead may not be easy, but as we continue to show up, make our voices heard and hold polluters accountable we must not forget to take care of ourselves, our peers and our communities. 

Dear all, we hope that you’ll join us on this journey towards a better future, taking care of our planet, ourselves and each other. 

With courage as our compass and optimism as our fuel, here are some of the top victories of 2024 for people and the planet to inspire us to keep taking action.

United Kingdom. Shell backs down in lawsuit against Greenpeace

In February 2023, Shell launched a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Greenpeace UK and Greenpeace International over a peaceful protest. But with our supporters behind us, we showed Shell their bullying tactics won’t intimidate us – and now they’ve backed down and agreed to settle out of court. People power works – this campaign was fought with the support of thousands of ordinary people against one of the richest companies in the world.

This legal battle might be over, but Big Oil’s dirty tricks aren’t going away. With Greenpeace facing further lawsuits around the world, we won’t stop campaigning until the fossil fuel industry stops drilling and starts paying for the damage it is causing to people and the planet.

Norway. Arctic deep sea mining plans stopped

Huge win for the ocean as Arctic deep sea mining plans are stopped in Norway! After more than a year of decisive campaign work and massive pressure from activists, scientists and the international community, the Norwegian government has agreed to stop the first licensing round for deep sea mining in Arctic waters for at least the rest of their term in office, until the next election.

This is a major and important environmental victory which shows that mobilisation and people power works.

Indonesia. Measures to regulate labour standards for fishing vessels adopted

After years of discussions, rejections, objections and negotiations involving governments, civil society organisations including Greenpeace Indonesia, and unions representing migrant fishers, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) finally adopted the Conservation and Management Measures (CMM) for Crew Labor Standards on 3 December 2024.  

The WCPFC oversees fish population management, promotes sustainable fishing practices, and implements conservation measures. This decision underscores their commitment to ensure the well-being of crew in an industry that suffers from serious labour abuses.

Oceans. Deep sea miners’ efforts to limit the right to protest at sea rejected

Over the last year, The Metals Company and its enablers have repeatedly tried to silence the global wave of resistance. After failing to get an injunction that stopped the action at sea, and unsuccessfully lobbying governments to limit protests around deep sea mining vessels at the International Seabed Authority in March, the company pursued an appeal at the Amsterdam Court of Appeal to try and secure immunity against future Greenpeace protests at sea. But thanks to the incredible work of Greenpeace International’s legal unit, on 12 November 2024, the court ruled once more in our favour, reaffirming our right to peaceful protest at sea.

Brazil. Sawré Muybu territory officially demarcated

On 25 September 2024, the Sawré Muybu territory  in the Tapajós River Basin in the heart of the Amazon rainforest was officially demarcated. The Munduruku People have been fighting for the rights to a land that has always belonged to them but is threatened by mining, illegal logging, and infrastructure projects. This is a historic and profoundly symbolic victory not only for the Munduruku, but for all Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon and Brazil.

South Korea.  Top court ruled the country’s carbon neutrality law as unconstitutional

On 29 August 2024, South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled the country’s carbon neutrality law as unconstitutional for violating citizen’s rights – making it the first ruling of its kind in Asia! The petition was filed in 2020 by over 200 plaintiffs, including young activists and even infants, and is Asia’s first climate court case targeting a country’s carbon neutrality commitments. This is a major climate win for future generations, and could potentially set a precedent in the region for other climate cases.

Australia. Woolworths and McDonald’s commit to going deforestation-free

Woolworths and McDonald’s in Australia announced their commitments to source deforestation-free beef. Woolworths will do so by the end of 2025 but McDonald’s will implement theirs by 2030 (Greenpeace Australia Pacific will continue to engage with McDonald’s to ensure they commit to taking deforestation off the menu – by 2025!). These two giant corporations are some of Australia’s biggest retailers and major buyers of Australian beef.

This is a major example of people power as Greenpeace Australia Pacific supporters had sent the big corporations thousands of emails, demanding they go deforestation-free. 

Global. Breakthrough for global tax justice

In a big win for global tax justice, a favourable blueprint for a UN Tax Convention that will pave the way for a fair and efficient global tax system was laid out in August. An inclusive tax cooperation system will shift power from a few rich OECD countries to the UN where every country has a vote and help governments around the world recover the billions lost to tax dodging by multinational corporations and the ultra-rich. There is still much to do to keep up the pressure as negotiations will continue until 2027.

South Africa. Shell loses appeal in case halting plans for oil and gas exploration

Big win against Shell in South Africa! After protests by the community and fishers, Shell loses its appeal against the landmark decision in 2022 which ruled against their plans to conduct oil and gas exploration off the Wild Coast of South Africa. The court says Shell failed to properly inform and consult affected communities, taking into account community rights and environmental harm. Unfortunately, the fight is not yet over as the court has left the door open for Shell’s application to renew its exploration right. Together with allies and the community, Greenpeace Africa is resolute in continuing to fight to stop Big Oil from exploiting the planet for its own profit.

Papua. Major land rights win for Indigenous Peoples

On 6 June, 4000 Indigenous Papuans finally received legal recognition of customary rights over 97,411 hectares of tropical rainforests in South Sorong Regency. The newly recognised Indigenous lands of the Knasaimos Peoples spans an area almost the size of Hong Kong. 

As with many Indigenous communities across Tanah Papua (the western half of New Guinea, also known internationally as West Papua), the Knasaimos Peoples have been fighting for decades to protect their customary lands from exploitation by external interests such as logging and plantation companies. Today’s ruling finally provides legal recognition of their rights to the land, forests, water, and other natural resources that are their ancestral heritage.

Oceans. World’s highest oceans court ruling to protect our oceans

In a historic Advisory Opinion, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the world’s highest oceans court, found that greenhouse gas emissions are a form of marine pollution and countries are obligated to reduce emissions for the sake of our oceans. The ruling is a huge victory in the protection and preservation of the marine environment. 

Europe. European Nature Restoration Law passed

The European Nature Restoration Law was passed and has come into effect! This law is the most important piece of environmental legislation in Europe in decades, aiming to restore and protect European biodiversity hotspots. It imposes unprecedented legally binding obligations onto EU Member States to restore protected nature reserves, peatlands, and dwindling bird and pollinator populations, and protect urban nature amongst others. This is a huge win for the nature movement in Europe!

Switzerland. Historic court win confirms that climate protection is a human right

The Association of Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland, also known as the KlimaSeniorinnen, took action against their country,  Switzerland, for violating the seniors’ human rights by failing to set sufficient climate targets. On 9 April, they received the landmark decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), achieving a historic victory for all generations. The ruling is an iconic moment for climate justice globally, confirming that climate protection is a human right.

Caroline Wagner is Programme Support Manager for the European Collaboration at Greenpeace Germany. Francesca Cresta is Executive and Governance Assistant at Greenpeace Italy. Tan Lee Kuen is a content editor with Greenpeace International.

Our ships are a source of strength for millions of Greenpeacers across the globe. Keeping our tradition, Greenpeace ships and our awesome ship’s crew led and witnessed various campaigns throughout the year. Oceania, the newest addition to the ship’s family, and the Greenpeace Australia Pacific office proved its utility to travel and raise awareness in the remotest locations. Starting from the South Asia tour early this year to the shooting of the iconic music video with singer-songwriters Jacob Collier and AURORA in front of Sveabreen glacier in Svalbard, these images are a small collection of the very busy year our ships have had, documenting and campaigning for a greener future. 

Nothing brings people all together more than a peaceful protest for a right cause. The commitment levels of activists and volunteers are infectious. The ability to take action for something we all believe in makes everyone proud. An instant connection is forged, transcending languages and geographical barriers, as shown through each image below. 

We witnessed some very courageous actions across the world. This short selection of images proves that Greenpeace’s spirit is alive and well. The courage of our volunteers and activists inspires people to stand up for Mother Earth no matter where they are.

Floods, deforestation, fires, typhoons and extreme heat. The photographs depicting these climate and biodiversity catastrophes are not fake or AI-generated. But despite every challenge thrown in our faces, hope and strength prevail. The people’s resilience is motivating thousands and thousands of others across the world to join hands towards a greener future.

Victory for Swiss Senior Women for Climate Protection

The Swiss Senior Women for Climate Protection as well as four individual plaintiffs have brought an action against Switzerland before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for pursuing an inadequate climate policy and thus violating its human rights. here

Climate Emergency in Spain

Spain isn’t alone—devastating floods swept across multiple regions this year, displacing communities and endangering lives.

End Plastic Now

Greenpeace Philippines, together with Young Earth Savers, Koalisyon Isalbar ti Pintas ti La Union, Dalumpinas Oeste Eco Rangers, San Juan Resort Restaurant Hotel Association Inc., and communities in La Union, unfurl a giant banner on the shorelines of Urbiztondo, La Union, with a bold message to world leaders to “END PLASTIC NOW.”

The Climate Turning Points

Markus Mauthe’s Galapagos Trip for his worldwide project The Climate Turning Points. Underwater images, a swarm of black striped salema, Pinzon Island.

Deforestation in Giant Landfill in Argentina 

The meeting point of the waters from the Amazon River and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Greenpeace sailboat Witness is conducting the Protect The Amazon Coast Expedition to document the potential impacts of oil exploration on the Amazon coast. The region is home to unique biodiversity, including the Great Amazon Reef System and vast mangroves, which are essential to local communities in terms of food and income.

Aftermath of Super Typhoon Man-yi in Dipaculao

An extent of damages brought by super typhoon Man-yi in Dipaculao township, Aurora province in northeastern Philippines, four days after the devastating super typhoon ‘Pepito’ (international name: Man-yi). The super typhoon made its second landfall to this town causing massive landslides that isolated three other towns in Aurora province.

Forest Fires in the Pantanal Region, Brazil

Greenpeace Brazil was in Mato Grosso do Sul, in the southern part of the Pantanal, to document the impacts of the fires that ravage the biome on its biodiversity and on people’s lives.

A shark hauled by fishers onboard the Taiwanese flagged longliner 

A Greenpeace investigation in the North Pacific and the Emperor Seamounts was carried out by a team of researchers on board the Rainbow Warrior, into distant water fishing fleets.

Jacob Collier & AURORA Performance in the Arctic

Singer-songwriters Jacob Collier and AURORA join forces for the first time to perform a mash-up of their two songs, ‘A Rock Somewhere’ and ‘The Seed’ in front of Sveabreen Glacier in Svalbard. The creative performance was delivered in partnership with Greenpeace International from the organisation’s ship Arctic Sunrise and aims to highlight the urgent need to protect the oceans and stop deep sea mining.

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) Impacts in Naga City

A man wades through a flooded street in Milaor in Naga City. Several towns in Camarines Sur are still submerged in water brought by severe tropical storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

Peaceful Demonstration at the Peace Palace during ICJAO Hearings in the Netherlands

A powerful and diverse assembly of voices from around the globe gathered in front of the Peace Palace in the Netherlands to demand climate justice. As the International Court of Justice prepares to begin its hearings on climate change and its impacts on human rights for current and future generations, this peaceful demonstration sets the stage for these historic discussions.

The Hague – Two weeks of climate hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ended today with communities most affected by the climate crisis, national governments and international organisations urging the Court to clarify the responsibilities of States to mitigate climate impacts and protect the rights of current and future generations. 

The request for an advisory opinion from the ICJ was led by 27 law students from The University of the South Pacific seeking to address critical questions on the legal duties of States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prevent climate-related harm, and safeguard human rights.[1][2]

Cynthia Rosah Bareagihaka Houniuhi, Youth representative from the Solomon Islands and president of the Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change, said: “I stand before you, not as an individual, but as the living embodiment of the voices of our people — past, present and future. For my people, and for the world’s youth and future generations, the consequences are existential. As judges of the World Court, you possess the power to help us course-correct and renew hope in humanity’s ability to address the greatest challenge of our time. And you can do this simply by applying international law to the conduct responsible for climate change.”

Jule Schnakenberg, Interim Executive Officer, World’s Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ) said: “For years, we have campaigned for a strong advisory opinion from the ICJ that delivers climate justice and will ensure human rights are protected worldwide. We now celebrate the conclusion of the hearings, during which many nations, particularly from the Global South, had the opportunity to personally address the Judges at the World Court. Unfortunately, some of the world’s biggest polluters failed to take responsibility, presenting flawed arguments aimed at undermining the international rule of law and neglecting their longstanding obligations. We trust the Court to reject these absurd claims and uphold the clear majority view that wrongful conduct causing harm must lead to reparations, using this unique opportunity to strengthen international law against climate change.”

Shiva Gounden, Head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, said: “After five years of collective campaigning, powerful advocacy, and mobilising communities, governments and civil society from across the world, this historic campaign and the result of the two weeks of court proceedings can shape what true climate justice looks like. This pivotal moment could be what generations refer to as the time when world leaders and international law chose the protection of human rights of current and future generations when dealing with the threats of climate change. The ICJ judges have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the course of history — we urge them to make this moment count.”

Louise Fournier, Legal Counsel at Greenpeace International, said: “This moment is a triumph of people-power. From the Pacific Island students who sparked this movement to the impacted communities who shared their stories and fought tirelessly to be heard, together, we’ve created a watershed moment for climate justice. Together, we’ve compelled the Court to confront what’s really at stake: not just the loss of land and livelihoods, but of our culture, history, and identity. This is a call for accountability from those who prioritise profit over people, a demand for solidarity with those facing the worst of the climate crisis, and an urgent plea for action—not tomorrow, but today. And this is only the beginning. Once the advisory opinion is out, we can expect to see more cases, including inter-state disputes, as the fight for global climate accountability continues to heat up.” 

Danilo Garrido, Legal Counsel at Greenpeace International, said: “High-emitting countries repeatedly tried to cast doubt on the science that attributes climate harm to their emissions and to limit the scope of issues before the Court. But their pushback failed. The hearings showed that the majority of States recognise they have concrete obligations to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to fight climate change – and believe swift action is required under international law. States built on recent findings by international courts, including the landmark Klimaseniorinnen case before the European Court of Human Rights, to stress that climate obligations are not limited to the Paris Agreement but are also shaped by human rights law, the law of the Sea and customary norms such as the obligation to prevent transboundary harm.” 

“With the unprecedented participation of over 100 States and international organisations, the ICJ cannot possibly ignore the voices of the Global South, and especially Small Island States, who are demanding climate justice grounded in international law.”

Alongside court hearings in The Hague, people most affected by the climate emergency held storytelling events to share the harsh realities of climate loss and damage as well as their hopes and struggles for a world with climate justice.[3] Events included The People’s Assembly, a Candlelight Vigil and Talanoa, an immersive exhibition with The People´s Museum for Climate Justice, and the launch of Just Poetry.[4]

ENDS

Photo and video for media use available in the Greenpeace Media Library

Notes:

[1] Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change Request for Advisory Opinion

[2] In 2019, 27 law students from The University of the South Pacific formed Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change, with a campaign for the International Court of Justice to issue an Advisory Opinion on the responsibilities of States in respect to climate change. 

[3] Witness Stand for Climate Justice

[4] The People’s Assembly 

Contacts:

Kate O’Callaghan, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, kate.ocallaghan@greenpeace.org, +61 406231892

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

Follow @greenpeacepress on X/Twitter for our latest international press releases.

Manila – A study by World Weather Attribution found that climate change made November’s typhoon series in the Philippines nearly twice as likely and increased the likelihood of at least three Category 3-5 typhoons hitting the Philippines in a year by 25%.

Reacting to this, Jefferson Chua, Greenpeace Southeast Asia climate campaigner said:

“Scientists are quick to conclude what policymakers are too slow at acting on: killer typhoons are made worse by climate polluters like Shell, Total and other oil and gas firms. Big Oil made 13 million Filipinos anguish in an unprecedented series of six typhoons within just 30 days. To help reduce the impacts of another conveyer belt of typhoons, the Philippine government must maximize its role as host of the UN climate loss and damage fund and find a way to make developed countries pay for the damage they have done as well as compel oil and gas companies to stop drilling and start paying.” 

The report highlights that climate change – caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels –  will result in more intense and unpredictable extreme weather events such as typhoons and heatwaves in the Philippines. In light of the series of cyclones and significant loss of life, the study recommends preparing for more back-to-back events in the future. It considered tropical cyclones Trami, super-typhoons Kong Rey and Usagi, typhoons Xinying and Toraji, with costs estimated at half a billion US$ – from damages to public infrastructure and agriculture. This does not include other costs such as loss of working days, destroyed homes, appliances and cars – are borne largely by ordinary people.

The study’s release comes just days after Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra delivered the Philippines’ statement at the hearings for the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion  (ICJAO) on climate change  in The Hague, Netherlands. Guevara called for the World Court and the international community to adopt an environmental legal remedy to assist climate-vulnerable nations, emphasizing that states must ensure that activities in their territory cause no harm to other states, and that they regulate public and private entities in their jurisdiction to ensure this. He also stressed that when wrongful acts are committed, states are obligated to provide full reparations. 

In a parallel event in The Hague, community representatives from the Philippines, Pacific Islands, and other countries launched The People’s Museum of Climate Justice, exhibiting “objects of memory,” poetry, and artwork from climate impacts survivors worldwide. The initiative aims to amplify stories of hope and courage from communities in global climate discussions. 

Tony Abletes, a youth leader from Salcedo, Eastern Samar, Philippines – an area frequently battered by typhoons – said: 

“The climate crisis is most felt in our communities, and these consequences stem from actions we had little to do with. We’ve brought our stories here in The Hague because they must be central to climate discussions, along with our urgent call for states to make polluters pay for loss and damage.”

Making climate polluters pay is the most popular policy option among Filipinos, according to a study commissioned by Greenpeace International for the “Stop Drilling Start Paying” global campaign. Greenpeace Philippines is calling on governments to make oil and gas companies stop expanding, resist their intimidation, and force them to pay for the climate damages already felt by people worldwide, especially the most at risk of climate impacts.

ENDS

Contacts:

Johanna Fernandez, Communications and Digital Manager, Greenpeace Philippines, +63-920-9759844, jofernan@greenpeace.org

Cabo Pulmo is an underwater paradise. The national park, on the east coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, is home to one of the world’s most important coral reefs that provide refuge to iconic marine species, like whale sharks, manta rays, and sea turtles. 

A history of action for Cabo Pulmo 

Cabo Pulmo is an incredible example of marine conservation in action. It became a National Park in 1995, after many years of campaigning from local communities, who fought to protect the area against overfishing and irresponsible tourism. Since then, fish populations have increased by more than 400% and many of its notable species, like whale sharks, have returned.

Unfortunately, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is now once again in the crosshairs of greedy corporations that want to exploit the area’s natural marine and terrestrial beauty for profit. Over the years, several real estate and tourism companies have tried but failed. 

Back in 2008, Hansa Urbana tried to develop a new tourist complex, Cabo Cortés, in an area bordering Cabo Pulmo. The project’s wastewater discharge, as well as oil from tourist boats, and the high demand for drinking water, to name a few issues, would have had a devastating impact on the reef and its marine life.

Local communities worked tirelessly alongside organisations, including Greenpeace Mexico, to pressure the government to cancel Cabo Cortés. Over 220,000 citizens signed the Greenpeace petition to stop this destructive project. Finally, in 2012, Mexican President Felipe Calderón’s government listened to the voices of the people and cancelled the plans. This momentous victory demonstrates the impact of people power in defending ocean sanctuaries.

Corporate greed is once again threatening to destroy Cabo Pulmo and its abundance of biodiversity. Two new projects, La Abundancia and Baja Bay Club, want to transform nearly 700 hectares of land surrounding Cabo Pulmo into enormous hotels, golf courses, villas, beach clubs, shopping centres, and a desalination plant.

In the last days of outgoing Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration, the local representation of the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) approved both projects. SAMARNAT fully ignored the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas’ (CONANP) warnings that these projects are incompatible with the conservation of the Cabo Pulmo National Park.

So what’s at stake? 

If these projects move forward, the consequences will be devastating for Cabo Pulmo’s marine ecosystems and local communities:

• The habitat of unique marine and terrestrial species will be destroyed.
• Water and soil will be polluted, putting the health of the reef and the biodiversity of the area at risk.
• Local water resources will be impacted, affecting local communities and the biodiversity that depend on them.
• Mexico’s carbon footprint will be increased by the projects, contradicting the country’s environmental commitments.
• Biodiversity loss will increase due to the destruction of the unique habitat in the Punta Arena area, putting endangered marine species, like coastal birds and nesting sea turtles at risk. 

Ocean sanctuaries, like Cabo Pulmo, are specifically successful at protecting biodiversity, ensuring ecosystem recovery and benefiting local communities. We need to protect at least 30% of the oceans from destructive human activities, like overfishing and exploitative tourism, with a network of marine sanctuaries. This will be a great step towards the recovery of ocean ecosystems and for the well-being and balance of our entire planet.

Greenpeace Mexico in coalition with local and national organisations are demanding that SEMARNAT revoke these projects’ authorisations to protect the invaluable National Park from real estate and tourist exploitation that threatens its existence. CEMDA has already taken legal action, requesting SEMARNAT review both projects’ authorisation.

What you can do 

People power protected Cabo Pulmo once, and together we can do it again. Raise your voice to protect Cabo Pulmo by signing the petition https://act.gp/3UR2UcG 

Amsterdam – Greenpeace salutes the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, Nihon Hidankyo, for their decades-long leadership in the struggle to eliminate nuclear weapons and expose its catastrophic consequences. Under the motto ‘No More Hibakusha,’ Nihon Hidankyo has been on a lifelong mission for peace, playing a pivotal role in making nuclear weapons illegal under international law through the historic Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), that entered into force in 2021.

Turning their personal tragedy into a fight for the greater good, Nihon Hidankyo has tirelessly worked to promote the rights of all Hibakusha, both inside and outside Japan. The Hibakusha (Japanese for ‘bomb-affected people’) are survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as victims of nuclear bomb testing conducted around the world. For many, for example victims of nuclear testing in the Pacific, justice has been painstakingly slow and incomplete.

Nuclear weapons were designed and tested as ultimate doomsday devices, leaving behind a legacy of fear and destruction. No other human invention has had such a profound impact on humanity’s story. Like the trauma the weapons inflict, its effects cannot be fully erased or undone. Especially today, as the testing and potential use of nuclear weapons is no longer considered taboo and is once again being contemplated, we must stand in solidarity with the Hibakusha and carry their legacy forward. We call on all countries to sign and ratify the TPNW, striving to make it as universal as possible.

Greenpeace stands with the Hibakusha in fighting for nuclear justice, and for enacting a global effective ban against nuclear weapons, through the Nuclear Ban treaty. 

ENDS 

Contacts:

Jen Maman, Senior Peace Advisor, Greenpeace International, +49 152 52024678, jen.maman@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

Just over a year ago, Shell sued Greenpeace UK, Greenpeace International and nine individuals for millions over a completely peaceful protest. We showed them their bully tactics won’t intimidate us – and now they’ve backed down and settled out of court. 

And we’ve made sure none of our supporters’ money will go to Shell. Here’s what you need to know.

Why did Shell sue Greenpeace?

Last year, six Greenpeace activists boarded a Shell-contracted ship in the Atlantic carrying a key piece of equipment to drill for new oil in the North Sea. 

When the protest ended, the only damage Shell could find was a padlock which, they alleged, our activists broke. That’s it. Yet they came after us with a million-dollar lawsuit, which they justified for their spending on safety. 

They demanded $1m USD in damages – and planned to spend another $10m USD in legal fees, which we could have had to pay if we lost the case.

For a company that made £22.4 billion in profits last year alone, this is peanuts. For Greenpeace International, this would have been one of the biggest threats in our 45-year history. 

But for Shell, this was never about the money. The real reasons behind their suit were revealed when, during early negotiations, the company offered to withdraw the case if we promised never to take action against their rigs, at port and at sea – forever. The mask slipped. This was a textbook SLAPP suit – a bullying legal tactic designed to intimidate critics.

How Greenpeace fought back – and created a PR disaster for Shell

Thanks to our incredible supporters, Shell backed down from their unreasonable demands. A sustained, year-long campaign against the suit, supported by celebrities including Joe Lycett, Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson, turned the legal move into a PR embarrassment for Shell. The case was dubbed the ‘Cousin Greg’ lawsuit by Forbes after a scene in the Emmy-awarded drama Succession, in which the hapless character threatens to sue Greenpeace to universal dismay.

How was the case settled?

As part of the settlement, none of the money supporters donated to the Shell legal fund will go to Shell. Instead, Greenpeace International and Greenpeace UK have agreed to donate £300,000 to our brave friends at the UK Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) whose mission to save lives at sea has become even more important as climate change supercharges storms and floods around the world. 

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We have also agreed not to protest at three of Shell’s oil and gas fields for the next five years and at a fourth one for the next ten years, all of them in the North Sea. These are largely declining fields where Shell has been drilling for years and where we had no plans to intervene by direct action.  

Even so, we don’t like having to make this kind of concession to a fossil fuel company, but the alternative could have been much worse. 

This is the absurd nature of SLAPP suits: even if the Greenpeace defendants had gone on to win the case, we could still have ended up worse off than by settling the case at this early stage.

This settlement has no impact on our future campaign plans and allows us to continue to vociferously campaign against Big Oil, to demand that it stops drilling and starts paying for all the harm their business has caused.

What happens next?

Thanks to the thousands of generous, passionate supporters who have donated to Greenpeace UK’s Shell legal fund, there are now even more resources to ramp up the fight against the fossil fuel industry. 

And while this legal battle might be over, Big Oil’s dirty tricks aren’t going away. Greenpeace faces further legal battles around the world, including a lawsuit in North Dakota for over $300 million USD which threatens the very existence of Greenpeace in the US. 

But we’ve never been ones to run from a fight – and we don’t intend to start now. With our supporters behind us, we will ramp up our campaigning until the fossil fuel industry stops drilling and starts paying for the damage it is causing to people and planet.

Who pays for the damage from extreme weather?

It’s time to make the polluters pay. Sign now to hold the oil and gas corporations accountable, and support a safe and fair future for all.

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