"Greenpeace International files lawsuit against Energy Transfer in first use of EU anti-SLAPP Directive", 11 February 2025

Greenpeace International (GPI) initiated the first test of the European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive by filing a lawsuit today in Dutch court against US-based fossil fuel pipeline company Energy Transfer (ET). GPI seeks to recover all damages and costs it has suffered as a result of ET’s back-to-back, meritless lawsuits demanding hundreds of millions of dollars against GPI and the Greenpeace entities in the United States.

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Since 2017, GPI and Greenpeace entities in the US have been defending against ET’s brazen lawsuits … The case was dismissed, ...ET promptly filed a new case … in a North Dakota state court, now packaged as claims for defamation, conspiracy and other torts. … The jury trial is set to open on February 24. North Dakota lacks anti-SLAPP legislation, and the Greenpeace defendants would not recover their costs in full after a win – an issue today’s suit seeks to address for GPI.

Energy Transfer’s lawsuits are clear-cut examples of SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). …

…. By invoking the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive, Greenpeace International is not only defending itself but also setting a precedent that could protect activists, journalists, and advocates everywhere. …

…Greenpeace International is citing Dutch law on torts and abuse of rights, as well as Chapter V of the EU Directive, … The Directive, along with existing Dutch law, paves the way for GPI to pursue remedies against three entities in ET’s corporate group, …