NEW YORK (Reuters) – In a recent development, a judge has made a decision regarding New York City’s lawsuit against major oil companies Exxon Mobil, BP, and Shell. The city had alleged that these companies were responsible for misleading the public regarding their products, as well as their commitments to renewable energy and combating climate change.
State Supreme Court Justice Anar Patel, based in Manhattan, dismissed the city’s claims in a ruling issued on Tuesday. Patel rejected the argument put forth by New York City that the oil companies were obligated to inform environmentally conscious residents about the link between fossil fuels and climate change, asserting that this information was already widely known in the public domain.
Furthermore, Patel determined that there was insufficient evidence to support the city’s allegations that the oil companies engaged in deceptive “greenwashing” practices. This included assertions about their involvement in clean energy initiatives and alternative energy sources, allegedly made to boost sales of fossil fuel products within the city.
A spokesperson for the city’s law department refrained from providing immediate commentary on the judge’s decision, declining to offer a statement on Wednesday.
The legal dispute between New York City and the oil industry giants commenced in April 2021. This followed a prior ruling by a federal appeals court, which declined to hold Exxon, BP, Shell, and two other oil companies accountable for covering the city’s expenses associated with addressing the damages caused by global warming.
Notably, numerous state and local governments across the United States have pursued legal action against oil companies in an effort to secure financial contributions towards addressing climate change issues, as well as to promote greater transparency from these corporations on the subject.
This news was reported by Jonathan Stempel in New York and has been edited by Jane Merriman.
