Italian Supreme Court to rule on Greenpeace climate lawsuit against Eni

Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon have appealed to Italy’s Supreme Court to expedite their climate lawsuit against oil giant Eni, arguing a dismissal would hinder future climate litigation in the country.

Stella Levantesi reports for DeSmog.

In short:

• The lawsuit alleges Eni has knowingly contributed to global warming since 1970.
• Plaintiffs argue that Italian courts have jurisdiction to decide on climate cases involving national and international emissions.
• A dismissal could prevent future climate lawsuits in Italy, contrasting with recent European Court of Human Rights rulings.

Key quote:

“The climate crisis fueled by fossil fuel companies is here. We have seen it with soaring temperatures, we see it with extreme weather events.”

— Simona Abbate, Greenpeace Italy

Why this matters:

This case challenges the accountability of fossil fuel companies for climate change and the role of national courts in addressing global environmental issues. The outcome could set a precedent for future climate litigation in Italy and beyond.