On 28 March 2025, Dutch environmental group Friends of the Earth (Milieudefensie) filed a lawsuit against ING, alleging that the bank is failing to meet its climate obligations. The lawsuit demands that ING halve its total emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels and implement stricter climate policies across eight high-pollution sectors, including steel and aviation.

Milieudefensie also calls for ING to stop financing companies involved in new oil and gas projects and to require all large corporate clients to submit credible climate transition plans. The NGO argues that ING’s current approach is insufficient in addressing its climate impact, despite the bank’s claims of prioritising sustainability.

The case follows similar legal action taken against BNP Paribas in France, signalling growing pressure on major financial institutions to align their business practices with international climate goals. ING has dismissed the demands as unrealistic, maintaining that it takes climate concerns seriously.