Shell settles lawsuit with Greenpeace over vessel boarding incident

Amber Weurding | U. Groningen Faculty of Law, NL

DECEMBER 10, 2024 

Environmental organization Greenpeace announced Tuesday that it reached a settlement with British oil and gas company Shell, which had sued the group over a protest. The legal dispute stemmed from an incident in 2023 when Greenpeace activists boarded a Shell oil production vessel to demonstrate against fossil fuel extraction and its environmental impact.

Shell brought the lawsuit following the boarding, citing safety and operational concerns, and sought legal remedies to prevent similar actions in the future. The settlement terms were not disclosed, but both parties confirmed that the case had been resolved. In the settlement, Greenpeace agreed to donate £300,000 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and accepted restrictions on approaching certain Shell sites for up to 10 years.

Greenpeace, known for its advocacy against fossil fuel dependency and its calls for accelerated climate action, used the protest to draw attention to Shell’s role in global carbon emissions. The group argued that such actions are vital to raising awareness about the environmental consequences of oil and gas production.

Shell, for its part, announced that it was pleased that a settlement was reached. The company noted that it respects the right to peaceful protest; however, it said unauthorized access to its facilities poses risks to both the activists involved and operational safety. Shell has faced increasing scrutiny over its environmental record, with critics urging it to accelerate its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift towards renewable energy.

Greenpeace stated that the settlement does not deter its mission to advocate for urgent climate action, while Shell reiterated its commitment to working towards its net-zero emissions goals by 2050.