The Supreme Court has rejected Big Oil's effort to move climate liability cases to federal court, allowing state courts to continue deciding on lawsuits that could hold fossil fuel companies responsible for climate damages. This decision is a significant victory for climate activists and communities seeking accountability from the oil and gas industry. The ruling comes amidst a global climate crisis fueled by fossil fuel emissions and follows a string of recent legal setbacks for Big Oil.
People embraced during a 'Kuhinia Maui Paddle Out' remembrance event honoring Lahaina wildfire victims at Hanaka‘ō‘ō Beach Park on August 8, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii . This event of remembrance comes amidst attempts by fossil fuel giants to quash the Hawaii capital’s lawsuit aimed at holding major polluters accountable for the devastating impacts of their products.
“This is a significant day for the people of Honolulu and the rule of law,” Ben Sullivan, executive director and chief resilience officer at the City and County of Honolulu’s Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency, said in a statement. “This landmark decision upholds our right to enforce Hawaii laws in Hawaii courts, ensuring the protection of Hawaii taxpayers and communities from the immense costs and consequences of the climate crisis caused by the defendants’ misconduct,” he added.The Supreme Court just denied Big Oil’s request to move climate liability cases to the federal level. This means state courts, like in Hawaii and California, will continue to decide on cases that could force Big Oil to pay for climate damages. The ruling is a victory for climate activists and communities who are fighting for accountability from fossil fuel companies. Honolulu’s suit was praised as “a blueprint for chaos” by Big Oil because it could inform other legal actions against fossil fuel companies, and such cases “could threaten the energy industry.” Similar to three previous decisions in other states, this ruling signals a growing trend of state courts holding fossil fuel companies accountable for climate damages. The decision was celebrated by climate scientists and legal experts alike. Delta Merner, lead scientist for the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Science Hub for Climate Litigation, similarly celebrated the decision, which she called “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.” Merner highlighted, “For more than 50 years, fossil fuel companies have conducted sophisticated disinformation campaigns to obscure their own research showing that burning fossil fuels would drive climate change. This case lays bare how these actions have contributed to rising seas, intensified storms, and coastal erosion that are devastating Honolulu’s people, infrastructure, and natural resources.” “Scientific evidence is unequivocal: The human-caused emissions from fossil fuels are the primary driver of climate change,” she stressed. “Honolulu’s case stands as an example of how communities are using both science and the law to challenge corporate misconduct and demand accountability for climate damages.” Merner added that “the people of Honolulu are demonstrating remarkable leadership in standing up to powerful fossil fuel companies whose disinformation campaigns have directly contributed to the climate harms they now face. Their efforts serve as a powerful example for communities around the world. This decision is one step in a larger effort to seek accountability and justice.” The Supreme Court’s latest blow to the oil and gas industry came just a week before the second inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Big Oil executives on the campaign trail and pledged to “drill, baby, drill” if he won the November election. The high court — which has a right-wing supermajority that includes three Trump appointees — had asked the Biden administration to weigh in. Last month, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogarthe justices not to intervene. Merner said at the time that her briefs “represent an important step in the pursuit of climate accountability.” Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction. Other progressive initiatives are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs. As journalists, we have a responsibility to look at hard realities and communicate them to you
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