A group of survivors from a devastating 2021 typhoon in the Philippines has filed a lawsuit in the UK against British oil giant Shell, seeking compensation for climate-related damage. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of 103 survivors, claims that Shell’s carbon emissions contributed to climate change, which in turn exacerbated the impact of Typhoon Rai. The typhoon struck the southern and central regions of the Philippines in December 2021, killing over 400 people and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.
The lawsuit argues that Shell’s emissions played a role in the storm’s severity, which is consistent with scientific warnings that typhoons are intensifying due to human-driven climate change. The case is supported by three non-governmental organizations, including Greenpeace, which stated that the lawsuit represents a significant step towards holding oil companies accountable for climate damage, particularly in the Global South.
The lawsuit is part of a growing international movement to assign responsibility to major companies for climate-related harm. A recent German court ruling established that firms could be held liable for emissions-related damage, potentially paving the way for similar cases in other countries. Shell has dismissed the claim as “baseless,” stating that it will not help reduce emissions or address climate change.
The claimants are seeking financial compensation for lives lost, injuries sustained, and homes destroyed. One of the claimants, Trixy Elle, a fisherman’s wife who lost her home and livelihood in the typhoon, emphasized that communities like hers contribute minimal pollution but bear the brunt of climate crises. The lawsuit represents a vital contribution to the global push to challenge the impunity of fossil fuel companies, according to the supporting NGOs.
The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, experiencing an average of 20 storms annually. The United Nations has reported that the destruction caused by Typhoon Rai was severely underestimated, with nine million people seriously affected. The UK lawsuit follows a landmark climate ruling by the International Court of Justice, which declared that states have an obligation to address the threat of climate change under international law. The outcome of this case may have significant implications for the accountability of oil companies and the pursuit of climate justice.