The Commercial Court of Tournai was expected to hand down the verdict at 1 p.m. local time in what is Belgium’s first climate lawsuit targeting a multinational corporation.
—
A Belgian court on Wednesday postponed its ruling in a groundbreaking climate case between a Belgian farmer and one of the world’s biggest oil companies.
The Commercial Court of Tournai was expected to hand down the verdict at 1 p.m. local time in Belgium’s first climate lawsuit targeting a multinational corporation. But the verdict was postponed until September 9.
Hugues Falys sued TotalEnergies two years ago to seek compensation for the damage that numerous extreme weather events, which he says are a direct result of the company’s activities, caused to his farm. Falys, who was backed by FIAN, Greenpeace, and the Belgian League of Human Rights, a member organisation of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), asked the court to order TotalEnergies to ensure compliance with the Paris Agreement and to move away from planet-warming fossil fuels.
TotalEnergies is one of the world’s top six “supermajor” oil companies and one of the 20 largest historical emitters of planet-warming greenhouse gases. The company has plans to continue expanding its oil and gas production – the primary fossil fuels driving climate change alongside coal – despite extensive and indisputable scientific evidence of their impact on global climate.
Despite putting the proceedings on hold, the court on Wednesday ruled that the legal action brought by Falys is admissible. For Marie Doutrepont, one of the lawyers representing Hugues Falys and the three NGOs, this was “an important sign of hope.”
“Indeed, it has been recognised that victims of the climate crisis can take highly polluting companies – which contribute significantly to climate change – to court in their own country, even if that is not where the company is headquartered. This is a landmark ruling,” said Doutrepont.
TotalEnergies is embroiled in another lawsuit in France for its contribution to climate change. The case, brought in 2020 by a coalition of French local authorities, alongside five local civil society organizations, also challenges the company’s continued expansion of oil and gas production. A two-day hearing took place last month, with the court expected to hand down the verdict on June 25.
Around the world, an increasing number of individuals and organizations are turning to courts to demand accountability for climate change. Since the 1990s, more than 2,900 climate lawsuits have been filed worldwide, mostly in the US.
Last year, a historic ruling from the International Court of Justice on the responsibilities of states in respect of climate change affirmed that government actions driving climate change are illegal and states are legally bound to cut their emissions. The world’s top court also ruled that states must pursue their “highest possible ambition” in their climate plans and ensure collective measures can limit global warming to 1.5C, the target set in the Paris Agreement.
Featured image: The Farmer Case.
More on the topic: Paris Court Hears Arguments in Climate Case Against TotalEnergies; Ruling Expected in June
This story is funded by readers like you
Our non-profit newsroom provides climate coverage free of charge and advertising. Your one-off or monthly donations play a crucial role in supporting our operations, expanding our reach, and maintaining our editorial independence.
About EO | Mission Statement | Impact & Reach | Write for us
