Oslo, Norway – The Grand Chamber of Norway’s Supreme Court has invalidated permits for three North Sea oil and gas fields, ruling that the government failed to account for the climate impact of burning the fossil fuels extracted. 

The decision deals a severe blow to the Norwegian state and energy giants Equinor and Aker BP, which developed the Breidablikk, Yggdrasil, and Tyrving fields. 

Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle, Norway lead in Greenpeace Nordic, said: “This historic ruling changes Norwegian oil policy forever, and sets a precedent the world cannot ignore. Norway can no longer ignore the global damage caused when its oil and gas are burned abroad. Norwegian authorities are now obligated to take into account the enormous climate damage caused by Norwegian oil and gas. This is a momentous victory for global climate justice.”

By affirming lower court rulings, the Supreme Court established that environmental assessments must evaluate Scope 3 emissions, the carbon released wherever combustion takes place. The victory is the culmination of a years-long battle for Greenpeace Nordic and Young Friends of the Earth Norway (Natur og Ungdom).

The case was initiated by Greenpeace Nordic and Young Friends of the Earth Norway, who successfully challenged the licenses of the North Sea fields Yggdrasil, Breidablikk and Tyrving in 2024. The decision was appealed by the Norwegian Government in the Borgarting Court of Appeal and later the Norwegian Supreme Court.  

A central issue in the case is that the climate impacts of burning the oil and gas produced by new projects were not assessed before the projects were approved. Courts, including the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Court, have confirmed that such assessments are required. As the EFTA Court interprets EU law, this requirement applies across the European Economic Area, not just in Norway.

In October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed that Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights requires states to assess the climate impacts of emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, including emissions generated outside their borders, before approving projects. This obligation applies to all Council of Europe members, giving the judgment far-reaching implications for fossil fuel approvals across Europe. 

Sigrid Hoddevik Losnegård, Head of Natur og Ungdom, said: “This is a huge victory for today’s children who are growing up in a world fundamentally altered by climate change. Young people took the state to court, and we won. It proves that our struggle for climate justice has real force. Now, it is up to the politicians to act.”

Attorney Jenny Sandvig of the law firm Simonsen Vogt Wiig, who delivered her third child this week and who represents the environmental organisations, said: “The environmental organisations have won a big victory today, it’s their victory and it’s a privilege to represent them. It’s a huge Grand Chamber win today for the organisations, which will have immense existential repercussions for future generations. Today marks a victory for democracy.” 

ENDS

Photos are available in the Greenpeace Media Library.

Contacts: 

Haldis Tjeldflaat Helle, Norway lead in Greenpeace Nordic: +47 93473213, haldis.helle@greenpeace.org

Sigrid Hoddevik Losnegård, Head of Natur og Ungdom (Young Friends of the Earth Norway): +47 405 29 471, sigridl@nu.no 

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

Antalya, Türkiye — Greenpeace International today launched a giant Trojan Horse in Konyaalti Municipality in central Antalya during the UN climate conference COP31, exposing how the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries are using plastic production to prolong dependence on oil and gas and protect their profits.

Created in collaboration with Danish artist Thomas Dambo for Greenpeace’s plastics campaign, the installation stands six metres high and four metres wide and poured out plastic when the trapdoor in its belly opened. It carried a message to world leaders gathering for climate negotiations: plastic is the big oil’s Trojan Horse.

Berk Butan, Social and Economic Systems Campaigner at GP Türkiye, said: “The legend of Troy is a striking story deeply rooted in the ancient history of these lands. Just like in the myth, this horse – appearing as a gift from the outside – hides something within that threatens our lives. The fossil fuel industry is using plastic as an escape hatch.

“Türkiye is promoting its Zero Waste initiative to the world at COP31. However, a comprehensive Zero Waste policy requires placing limits on plastic production and closing borders to other countries’ plastic waste. Türkiye is hosting an historic moment. Now is the time to take a decisive stance and fight for true Zero Waste.”

Behind familiar packaging and everyday products lies an industry that pushes for more plastic production to sustain its profits, threatening to lock in demand for oil and gas and undermine essential climate action. Plastic contributes to the climate crisis throughout its entire life cycle, from fossil fuel extraction and manufacturing to disposal.

Thomas Dambo, the creator of the Trojan Horse installation, said: “I build sculptures exclusively from recycled materials and trash to make people think of how we overproduce. Here at COP31, this Trojan Horse reveals what everyday plastic conceals: its connection to oil and gas. As leaders negotiate our climate future, the fossil fuel industry is expanding through plastics. Working with Greenpeace, I hope this horse sparks curiosity and sends a clear message: a healthier climate means cutting plastic production.”

Jacob Kean-Hammerson, Global Plastics Policy Lead at Greenpeace USA, said: “Plastic is Big Oil’s Trojan Horse – a way to keep profiting from fossil fuels and continued climate emissions and pollution. Governments cannot tackle the climate crisis while allowing unchecked plastic production to threaten our communities, our health and our future. At COP31 and the next Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, leaders must stand up to fossil fuel interests and commit to a just transition away from fossil fuels and cutting plastic production.”

Greenpeace is calling on governments to deliver a strong Global Plastics Treaty that will  cut plastic production at its source, accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuels and support reuse and refill systems. 

Ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in March 2027, Greenpeace challenged leaders at COP31 to confront the fossil fuel interests behind plastic through the Trojan Horse installation. A healthy climate and a truly Zero Waste future depend on cutting plastic production and putting people and the planet before polluters’ profits.

ENDS

Photos and videos of the action can be accessed in the Greenpeace Media Library.

Contacts:

Angelica Carballo Pago, Global Plastics Campaign Media Lead, Greenpeace USA, +63 917 1124492 angelica.pago@greenpeace.org

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

November 12, 2026 – In the wake of the resignation of Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, Greenpeace International reiterates the need to regulate AI and Big Tech.

Avex Li, Greenpeace East Asia’s project lead for AI supply chain campaign, said: “As a dominant giant and a frontrunner in the AI race, Nvidia, alongside other Big Tech players, bears primary responsibility for tech’s environmental, climate, and human toll. Jensen Huang has failed to put climate responsibility at the heart of the company’s growth strategy, to slow down the unchecked expansion of data centres or to prevent its chips from being deployed in unethical applications like automated warfare. Interim CEO Colette Kress and whoever leads Nvidia in the long term must make a clear commitment to genuine decarbonisation and renewable energy investment, and ensure its technology respects human rights.”

Greenpeace East Asia have spent the past two years seeking dialogue with Nvidia, especially after Jensen Huang publicly promised to meet with Greenpeace. To date, Nvidia has not fulfilled that promise. Greenpeace remains committed to engaging directly with any Nvidia CEO regarding emissions and ethical concerns.

Greenpeace International demands that Nvidia serves the public interest by investing substantially in additional renewable energy capacity. The organisation also calls on the company to extend its 100% renewable energy target beyond its own corporate operations to cover its entire manufacturing supply chain by 2030, including suppliers in key production regions in East Asia.

ENDS

Contacts: 

Guillaumine Lickel, Deputy Communications Lead , Greenpeace International, +33 6-73-89-48-90 (EMEA), glickel@greenpeace.org

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

New York, United States — According to Greenpeace Ukraine public Diesel Tanker Tracker, the Agioi Fanendes, a tanker carrying about 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel, has stopped on its course towards New York and New Jersey. 

In response, John Noël, Senior Strategist, Greenpeace International said: “Since its departure from Russia, this diesel carrying tanker has been on a steady course towards New York/New Jersey, its originally signalled destination. Two days ago, it suddenly stopped and is now holding position some 430 nautical miles off the coast, apparently unsure where to discharge its cargo. Every shipment of Russian diesel helps fuel Russia’s war machine and threatens to undermine international sanctions. No country should accept Russian diesel tankers as part of a corrupt deal with the White House. The diesel deal with Russia must be terminated and instead more effective and comprehensive sanctions must be applied along with measures to limit fossil fuel dependence and achieve true clean energy security.” 

After New Jersey Governor Sherrill drew a hard line and warned ports and businesses about accepting Russian fuel[1], Greenpeace USA sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul[2] this week urging her to take the same action as New Jersey Governor Sherrill: declare that the diesel shipments are not welcome, and warn port and terminal operators of the legal risks of accepting it. With the tanker now potentially just days away from the harbour, Greenpeace USA is urging the Governor to act. 

As of early morning EST on 11 November, the ship was at N39.96 / W64.88, some 430 nautical miles straight east from New Jersey.  At its normal speed of 12 knots, it can approach New York Harbour within 36 hours.

ENDS

Notes: 

[1] Governor Mikie Sherrill letter to Port and Terminal Operators of New Jersey 

[2] Greenpeace USA letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul 

Background:

The cargo is the first shipment under a controversial deal struck in October by President Trump and President Putin. On 9 October, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary licence allowing otherwise sanctioned Russian diesel to be sold in the United States. The licence conflicts with the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act, which the US Congress passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in April 2022 to ban imports of Russian petroleum products, including diesel. The recent diesel agreement between Trump and Putin has been widely condemned as rewarding Russia for its illegal war against Ukraine with the objective of destroying the international sanctions regime against Russia.

The Agioi Fanendes loaded ultra-low-sulfur diesel at Russia’s Baltic port of Primorsk in late October and initially broadcasted the New York area as its destination, with arrival expected in early November. In response, New Jersey Governor Sherrill warned port and terminal operators that handling the fuel could expose them to civil and criminal penalties. No US buyer or receiving terminal has been publicly identified since her warning.

Contacts: 

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