New York City lawsuit against Exxon, BP, Shell over climate change dismissed

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A judge has dismissed New York City’s lawsuit alleging that Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), BP (NYSE:BP) and Shell (LON:SHEL) were liable for misleading the public about their products, and their commitment to renewable energy and fighting climate change.

In a decision on Tuesday, state Supreme Court Justice Anar Patel in Manhattan rejected the city’s argument that the oil companies should have told climate-conscious residents that fossil fuels cause climate change because this information was publicly known.

Patel also found no proof that the companies conducted “greenwashing” campaigns, including statements about clean energy and alternative energy sources, so they could sell more fossil fuel products in the city.

A spokesman for the city’s law department had no immediate comment on Wednesday.

The lawsuit began in April 2021, after a federal appeals court refused to hold Exxon, BP, Shell and two other oil companies liable to pay the city’s costs for addressing harm caused by global warming.

Many U.S. state and local governments have sued oil companies to help pay for and be more forthcoming about climate change.