In May 2021, a Dutch court in The Hague ruled that Shell must reduce its global CO₂ emissions by 45% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels. The case was brought by Milieudefensie, supported by six other NGOs and over 17,000 Dutch citizens.

Milieudefensie set a deadline for Shell to submit a climate strategy showing how it plans to comply with the court ruling. The organisation asks for a credible and measurable plan aligned with the emissions reduction order.

In May 2025, Milieudefensie has warned Shell that it may face new legal action in the Netherlands for continuing to develop hundreds of new oil and gas projects, saying the company is breaching its duty of care under Dutch law by failing to implement an adequate climate strategy and reduce fossil fuel investments

In June 2025, Shell publishes its official response to Milieudefensie's demands. In the statement, Shell reaffirms its long-term goal of reaching net zero by 2050 and outlines its transition efforts. However, it maintains that the 2021 court decision is still under appeal and disputes the legal basis requiring it to reduce customer emissions.

Milieudefensie publicly announces that it is preparing new legal action to enforce the 2021 judgment, arguing that Shell is not meeting its court-ordered climate responsibilities.

In April 2026, Milieudefensie filed a lawsuit before a dutch court, arguing that the company’s announced strategy to increase natural gas production and maintain oil production levels is incompatible with its climate obligations.

Shell told RTL Nieuws that Milieudefensie’s lawsuit is “unrealistic, unreasonable, and fundamentally misplaced” for many reasons. According to the fossil fuel giant, Milieudefensie’s insistence to halt drilling of new fields is ignoring “the role that oil and gas will continue to play in the coming decades.” Shell also said that if it doesn’t develop the oil and gas fields, the governments that own the land will simply allocate it to other companies.