New York City climate change lawsuit against oil companies dismissed

(Reuters) — A judge has dismissed New York City’s lawsuit alleging that Exxon Mobil, BP and Shell were liable for misleading the public about their products and their commitment to renewable energy and fighting climate change.

In a decision Tuesday, state Supreme Court Justice Anar Patel in Manhattan rejected the city’s argument that the oil companies should have told climate-conscious residents that fossil fuels cause climate change because this information was publicly known.

Judge Patel also found no proof that the companies conducted “greenwashing” campaigns through statements about clean energy and alternative energy sources so they could sell more fossil fuel products in the city.

A spokesman for the city’s law department had no immediate comment Wednesday.

The lawsuit began in April 2021, after a federal appeals court refused to hold Exxon, BP, Shell and two other oil companies liable to pay the city’s costs for addressing harm caused by global warming.

Many state and local governments have sued oil companies to help pay for and be more forthcoming about climate change.