Fossil fuel companies ramp up lawsuits to silence climate activists in Europe

Lawsuits targeting climate activists and journalists in Europe are rising, with fossil fuel companies increasingly using legal threats to hinder environmental advocacy.

Stella Levantesi reports for DeSmog.

In short:

A new report from the Coalition Against SLAPPS in Europe (CASE) documents 1,049 SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) cases from 2010 to 2023, with environmental issues as the second-most-targeted category.
Fossil fuel companies, including Shell, Eni and Santos, are filing lawsuits against activists and groups, often seeking to intimidate and drain resources rather than win legal battles.
Anti-SLAPP coalitions and European Union directives aim to counter these cases and protect freedom of expression for environmental and climate advocates.

Key quote:

“SLAPPs are very clearly intended to obstruct progress on climate action.”

— Charlie Holt, European Lead at Global Climate Legal Defense

Why this matters:

SLAPPs weaponize the legal system to suppress dissent and obstruct climate advocacy, draining activists’ resources and silencing their voices. Increased awareness and stronger protections against these lawsuits are critical for maintaining democratic freedoms and accelerating climate action.

www.desmog.com

Fossil fuel companies ramp up lawsuits to silence climate activists in Europe

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