Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands) has initiated a second climate case against Shell. The climate organisation is demanding that the company stops drilling for new oil and gas fields.

The current lawsuit adds pressure to the oil giant as an earlier case makes its way through the Dutch courts.

In a ruling in the appeal of the first case, the judge held that Shell has an obligation to reduce its emissions and that new oil and gas projects may be at odds with international climate agreements. Furthermore, the judge ruled that polluting companies have a responsibility of their own in combating dangerous climate change.

“In the appeal ruling, the judge emphasised that Shell has a duty to protect human rights and to make an appropriate contribution to achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement,” said Roger Cox of Paulussen Advocaten, which is representing Milieudefensie. Milieudefensie is now also demanding that Shell sets specific interim targets to reduce its emissions step by step between 2030 and 2050.

The reason for Milieudefensie’s second climate case against Shell is a statement Shell made to investors in March 2025. The company said it would continue on the existing path of fossil fuels and even ramp up the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) beyond 2030.

Milieudefensie also maintains that as there is enough oil and gas in existing fields to meet demand for the coming decades and there should be a blanket ban on any new drilling. Donald Pols, director of Milieudefensie, said: “Shell’s call for more oil and gas shows just how desperate major polluters are to find new oil and gas fields to keep society addicted to fossil fuels.”

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