Dutch Court Orders Shell to Reduce Emissions to Combat Climate Change

Yesterday, a Dutch court ruled that Shell, a company based in the Netherlands, must reduce its carbon emissions to combat climate change.  Even though Shell will appeal this decision, and although the general applicability of this ruling may be limited (a decision by a Dutch court concerning a Dutch company), it is significant in that a court has now applied the recommendations of climate science (e.g., a specific numerical target of emission reductions) to impose obligations on an individual company (as opposed to a government).  When companies consider their legal exposure to climate change litigation, this decision should figure in any such assessment.