Milieudefensie (Dutch for "environmental defense") is a Dutch environmental organisation, founded on 6 January 1971, by a group of scientists in response to a report by theClub of Rome.[clarification needed] It is the Dutch branch ofFriends of the Earth.Milieudefensie is part of the 30 national organisations thatFriends of the Earth Europe represents and unites at the European level.
Milieudefensie's mission is a good life for all people on earth and for generations to come. Its focus is onclimate justice, more specifically a fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of solutions to the climate crisis. In recent years its focus is specifically oncorporate accountability in relation to the climate crisis.
Milieudefensie has approximately 90,000 members and a support base of 175,000 people. It engages its support base in its activities, which are a combination of public campaigns, legal actions and political lobbying.
In 2018, Milieudefensie started alawsuit against fossil fuel company Shell to hold the company responsible for its share in the climate crisis, and to demand that it makes climate plans in line with internationally agreed targets. In 2021, the judge's verdict stated that Shell has to reduce its CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, compared to 2019 figures. This applies also toscope 3 emissions, or the emissions caused by the use of Shell's products.[1]
International media stated that "Shell's historic loss in The Hague is a turning point in the fight against big oil"[2] and that the case is "the most dramatic turning point" among a number of climate-related court cases that will lead "oil giants toward a 'tipping point'".[3] The case has inspired other lawsuits, including one against Italian oil major Eni.[4]
Shell appealed the ruling of the court. Hearings took place in April 2024 and the court decided in Shell´s favor on 12 November 2024. The judges saw Shell not fully responsible for the CO2 "scope 2" and "scope 3" emissions caused by suppliers and customers and an actual obligation to reduce these emissions by a fixed percentage would be out of scope. The judges stated, that competitors could take market shares from Shell by selling more coal and gas in the process, which would not result in a reduction of CO2 emissions.[5]
In January 2024, Milieudefensie issued a notice of liability to the Dutch bank ING. Milieudefensie considers ING aGlobal Systemically Important Bank that has a duty of care with regard to climate change. It argues that ING should take climate action that will lead to a reduction of its CO2 emissions of 48% by 2030 as compared to 2019. This is a slightly larger figure than in the Shell case, because it reflects the most up to date science. The case largely follows the same legal strategy as the case against Shell.[6]
Milieudefensie works with its support base to put pressure on large companies and on politicians to act according to climate agreements. Milieudefensie's strategy is based on 'people power': when a large number of people speaks out for a certain demand, it will become impossible for companies and politicians to ignore that demand. In recent years, it has among others:
Milieudefensie works internationally in two alliances: theGreen Livelihoods Alliance and theFair, Green and Global alliance. Milieudefensie also lobbies for international and EU legislation and guidelines. Among others, they provided input on therevised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 2023 and on the EUCorporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.