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Dutch court tells Shell to cut emissions

Environmental group Friends of the Earth has described a ruling against oil giant Shell as a “turning point”.

A Dutch court yesterday (26 May) ruled that Shell must reduce its CO2 emissions by 45% within 10 years.

The judgment said the company was responsible for its own CO2 emissions and those of its suppliers.

The legal action was brought by Friends of the Earth Netherlands, together with 17,000 Dutch citizens and six other organisations.

'Timely' for Ireland

Roger Cox, lawyer for Friends of the Earth Netherlands, said it was the first time a judge had ordered a large polluting corporation to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement.

The organisation’s director in Ireland, Oisín Coghlan, said the ruling was “very timely” as Ireland enacts its new climate law.

“There is no longer any avoiding the imperative to reduce emissions. The courts now accept that as much as the scientists and citizens,” he said.

A Shell spokesman told the BBC the company was expected to appeal the “disappointing” court decision, adding that it was stepping up efforts to cut emissions.