Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef)

“The big fear is that this will embolden other fossil fuel companies to try their luck with these large-scale SLAPPS as a means of shutting down criticism,” says Charlie Holt of Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef). Last week, a jury in the US state of North Dakota?found?Greenpeace International and its US bodies guilty of a mix of defamation, trespass, nuisance and conspiracy – and ordered them to pay more than US$660 million in damages to oil pipeline company Energy Transfer.? Anne Jellema, chief executive of climate campaign group 350.org, said the judgment should serve as a “wake-up call” to the entire climate movement, coming alongside a potential unleashing of new fossil fuel production and rollback of environmental protection in the US. By me for Climate Home News #climatejustice #climateactivism #climatelitigation

Yesterday, three Greenpeace entities were found liable for $667 million dollars in damages in a lawsuit filed in North Dakota by Energy Transfer, a Dallas-based oil and gas company worth nearly $70 billion. The suit originated from Greenpeace’s limited role in supporting Indigenous-led protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. This decision is a travesty of justice and we stand in solidarity with Greenpeace and its allies in condemning the decision.? United States’ law is being weaponized to strengthen already overweening corporate power and to diminish free speech, while the people working to stop climate change are left with devastating financial penalties. But let’s be clear — this lawsuit is not just about Greenpeace. As a legal organization working to defend climate defenders against Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) worldwide, we are deeply concerned that this trial in America will become part of the playbook, utilized by companies globally as they seek to entrench fossil fuels? while marginalized communities try to defend their land and water. If our collective ability to peacefully advocate for climate justice is imperiled by specious corporate lawsuits intended to silence us, then we will need more lawyers to fight back. ?? Read our statement: https://lnkd.in/etZsy4s7

Eleven student climate activists have been successfully released from a jail in Uganda, following a protest against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) late last month. Since 2022, Global Climate Legal Defense has supported several hundred climate defenders in Uganda who have faced arrests, frivolous criminal charges, detention, and lawsuits for their advocacy work. Since then, with the help of our local legal network, we have obtained the release of more than 200 people from jail. Now, they can keep speaking out for their communities and our climate. ??? Read more: https://lnkd.in/eVkG2-EU

Good news! Charges have been dropped against two leaders from a small fishing village in the Philippines for their advocacy against the forced demolition of their community for energy infrastructure projects. ??? Global Climate Legal Defense was there to support their legal case. https://lnkd.in/ebJKVxUK

"This case is an emblematic example of a SLAPP lawsuit – a way of weaponizing the legal system by wealthy and powerful people to silence their critics by dragging them through long, stressful, expensive litigation where winning is almost irrelevant." https://lnkd.in/g8jfF_jQ

A judge in Canada ruled this week that the police used excessive force and violated the rights of three Indigenous land defenders after they held protests to oppose the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline.? We have proudly supported their legal defense because Indigenous people have the right to protect their land and our planet, and they should be able to do so without suffering abuse. ??? Read the full release: https://lnkd.in/eKd5xUd5

“Throughout his career, Eron Kiiza has spoken up for his clients and the planet, holding up the law to ensure justice for all people,” said Alfred Brownell, founding president and co-founder of Global Climate Legal Defense (CliDef). “Now he needs us to speak up too. The Ugandan government is misusing military courts to crack down on advocates and critics of the current regime. Mr. Kiiza must be released so he can get back to his family and important legal work.” Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/eXW_xA-T

If Zain Haq is forced to leave for his climate activism, Canada could become one of the first countries to deport a climate activist. “Climate defenders like Zain are the energetic leaders that Canada should extend a hand to, rather than repress or deport. We call on the Canadian government to defend its core values and halt the imminent deportation of Zain Haq,” said Betsy A., our co-founder and Executive Director. Read our full statement: https://lnkd.in/eDE3rSiS And recent reporting from The Narwhal: https://lnkd.in/e4sXRrrv

?? Join us tonight for 'Climate emergency and the future of civic space' at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) or online. The panel will discuss the crackdown on environmental protest and climate activism around the world and the emergence of dangerous narratives around climate change, national security, and migration. ? 18.30 (GMT) Sign up here?? https://lnkd.in/eywiB2QE

A SLAPP suit, or Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation, is a legal action used to intimidate and silence critics by making them pay for a costly legal defense. SLAPPs for environmental activism are on the rise worldwide, despite the impacts of climate change worsening. "We should now be operating at a stage where people feel more able to speak out," shared our Charlie Holt. https://lnkd.in/eWhcfFrs