Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon have appealed to Italy’s Supreme Court to expedite their climate lawsuit against oil giant Eni, arguing a dismissal would hinder future climate litigation in the country.
Stella Levantesi reports for DeSmog.
In short:
- The lawsuit alleges Eni has knowingly contributed to global warming since 1970.
- Plaintiffs argue that Italian courts have jurisdiction to decide on climate cases involving national and international emissions.
- A dismissal could prevent future climate lawsuits in Italy, contrasting with recent European Court of Human Rights rulings.
Key quote:
“The climate crisis fueled by fossil fuel companies is here. We have seen it with soaring temperatures, we see it with extreme weather events.”
— Simona Abbate, Greenpeace Italy
Why this matters:
This case challenges the accountability of fossil fuel companies for climate change and the role of national courts in addressing global environmental issues. The outcome could set a precedent for future climate litigation in Italy and beyond.
