
Compensation of 541 million reais requested for the company's historic contribution to greenhouse gas emissions
AI-generated summary
Floods in Rio Grande do Sul between April and May 2024 caused 183 deaths and displaced half a million people. The lawsuit is based on Shell's historical contribution to global emissions.
Brazil's Federal Prosecutor's Office has filed a lawsuit against Shell's Brazilian branch, seeking compensation of more than 541 million reais (around 97 million euros) for damage caused by floods that hit the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul between April and May 2024.
The legal action seeks to attribute partial environmental and climate responsibility to the oil company for losses caused by the extreme weather event, based on the British multinational's historical contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the court document obtained by the AFP agency, investigators estimate that Shell is responsible for around 2% of global emissions. Based on this share, the lawsuit argues that the company should be held proportionately responsible for a portion of the flood-related damages. It is the first time a national prosecutor has sued a major oil company over a climate catastrophe.
The rains that hit southern Brazil in 2024 caused the deaths of 183 people, the displacement of around half a million individuals and extensive material damage.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Start of legal process against Shell in Brazil
Very likely · Within months

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