abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

26 Jul 2023

Author:
Greenpeace International

Italy: ENI files SLAPP after NGOs launch first ever climate lawsuit in the country

"Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon hit with ‘SLAPP’ lawsuit by fossil fuel company ENI", 26 July 2023

While a devastating climate emergency ravages Italy this summer, fossil fuel giant ENI has today filed a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) against Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon, in an attempt to counter their joint legal campaign The Just Cause.

On 9 May, Greenpeace Italy, ReCommon and 12 Italian citizens impacted by the climate crisis launched a civil lawsuit against ENI for the climate damage they are contributing to by continuing to invest in fossil fuels... This landmark legal action is the first initiative of its kind against a private company in Italy, and garnered significant international media attention...

Chiara Campione, head of Greenpeace Italy’s Climate Unit, said: “This is an attempt to intimidate us, but we will continue to expose ENI’s responsibility for their part in the climate crisis. It is paradoxical that, just as Italy is devastated by the impacts of the fossil-fuelled climate crisis, ENI is seeking compensation from people who are advocating for vital changes to energy policy. By continuing to invest in oil and gas, ENI, along with other carbon majors, is threatening people’s right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment...” 

Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon say this legal case will not stop them from demanding that ENI abandons fossil fuel destruction to preserve life on the planet in all its forms. 

ENI has not specified the exact financial demands it plans to make against Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon, but according to their pre-action letter, the compensation demanded will exceed 50,000 euros for each organisation. The company alleges damages for defamation...

Timeline