Italian court allows climate lawsuit against energy giant Eni to proceed
Italy’s highest court ruled that a lawsuit by Greenpeace and other activists accusing Eni and government shareholders of climate harm can move forward, rejecting the company’s bid to dismiss the case.
Nicole Winfield reports for Associated Press.
In short:
- The Court of Cassation found Italian courts have jurisdiction to hear claims tied to emissions by Eni’s foreign subsidiaries when harm is alleged in Italy.
- Greenpeace and ReCommon sued Eni in 2023, citing human rights protections and Italy’s climate commitments, and seeking damages for climate impacts.
- Eni welcomed the ruling, saying it expects to refute the activists’ allegations in the Rome tribunal.
Key quote:
“No one, not even a colossus like Eni, can escape its responsibilities anymore.”
— Greenpeace and ReCommon joint statement
Why this matters:
The case signals growing use of courts to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for climate damage. Such lawsuits push beyond policy debates, framing global warming as a human rights issue. By asserting jurisdiction over emissions linked to foreign subsidiaries, Italian judges joined courts in other countries that have allowed similar claims to proceed. If successful, this type of litigation could expose energy companies to significant financial liability and reshape their future operations. It also reflects rising public pressure on governments that hold stakes in major polluters, challenging them to reconcile climate pledges with investments that drive emissions.
Related: Fossil fuel companies ramp up lawsuits to silence climate activists in Europe
