Donald Trump's plans to shield the fossil fuel industry from accountability lawsuits face significant legal and procedural hurdles, experts say.
Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- More than 30 lawsuits accuse fossil fuel companies of misleading the public about climate risks, and Trump’s administration cannot directly block them.
- Federal intervention in these cases could favor fossil fuel interests, but experts note this is neither guaranteed nor straightforward.
- Advocates worry Trump might seek congressional immunity for the fossil fuel industry, though legislative hurdles make success unlikely.
Key quote:
“Climate deception lawsuits against big oil have a clear path forward no matter who is in the White House.”
— Richard Wiles, president of the non-profit Center for Climate Integrity
Why this matters:
Efforts to hold fossil fuel companies accountable are crucial in addressing climate change and corporate transparency. Weakening such lawsuits could hinder climate justice and limit tools for tackling environmental damage caused by deceptive practices.
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