The city and county of Honolulu filed the suit against Shell, Sunoco, ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron, and other oil majors in a state court in March 2020, followed by an amended complaint in 2021, alleging the companies falsely portrayed climate change risks and exacerbated climate-driven disasters in the area.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court said it would hold a conference on Jan. 10 to determine whether it would hear arguments from Shell, Sunoco and others in their appeal of a Hawaii State Supreme Court decision which allowed Honolulu’s climate lawsuit against the oil companies to continue.

The October 2023 decision from Hawaii’s top court came after multiple courts declined to dismiss Honolulu’s climate suit or move it to federal jurisdiction. Ultimately, the island state’s supreme court also denied the petitioning fossil fuel companies’ motion to dismiss.

The justices’ Monday decision to not step into the case stands to be a major victory for state, cities and municipalities — from California to Chicago — that are looking to hold Big Oil accountable for its role in spurring climate change and related natural disasters.

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a resounding affirmation of Honolulu’s right to seek justice under state law for the mounting climate impacts caused by fossil fuel companies’ deceptive practices,” Delta Merner, lead scientist for the Union of Concerned Scientists’ science hub for climate litigation, said in a statement following the Monday decision.

Honolulu’s suit against Big Oil is one of at least 86 climate cases filed against fossil fuel producers since 2015, according to a recent report from Oil Change International and Zero Carbon Analytics. The report also found that the annual number of climate-related lawsuits filed against the world’s largest fossil fuel producing companies has nearly tripled since the Paris Agreement was adopted a decade ago. Companies facing litigation include Shell, BP, Chevron and ExxonMobil.

https://www.esgdive.com/news/supreme-court-denies-big-oils-bid-to-toss-honolulu-climate-case/737463/


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8 w
When we have similar court cases coming up in our courtrooms then it's a big win for us that are working towards sustainability.
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8 w
@zelda_ninga_442 I just hope they will be successful
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8 w
@zelda_ninga_442 A major precedent has been set and you can already tell the many lawsuits that will be lined up to hold big Oil to account.
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8 w
Dear Kevin Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to US Supreme Court by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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8 w
It is esential holding major oil companies accountable for environmental impacts. This could set a precedent for similar cases addressing corporate responsibility in climate change.
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8 w
@walter_lungayi very true, climate change should be our responsibility and everyone should be accountable.
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8 w
@walter_lungayi I am hopeful that this year so many lawsuits will put big Oil kn the spot and cause th to be held accountable
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8 w
Honolulu’s persistence is truly inspiring
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8 w
@dickson_mutai A case of true resilience and belief
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8 w
This is a significant victory for holding parties accountable and advancing climate justice!
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8 w
@frankoh_kihm_080 Exactly how our Courts should be working towards climate change matters.
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8 w
@frankoh_kihm_080 You called it
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8 w
This is great news though a similar lawsuit in New York was sadly thrown out.
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8 w
@boniface_kuria Hoping an appeal will suffice
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8 w
This is a major win for climate accountability and justice!
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8 w
@princess_nel_268 Yes. we only hope the lawsuits will be successful.
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8 w
@princess_nel_268 It's time Big Oil faces consequences for decades of misleading practices
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8 w
@princess_nel_268 Glad to see the courts always on the people's side