In November 2016, Greenpeace International (GPI) signed an open letter with over 500 organizations, calling on funders to withdraw financing for an oil pipeline in North Dakota. Energy Transfer—the developer of the pipeline—and related entities cited this signature as evidence to bring GPI before U.S. courts, seeking at least $300 million in damages. A <a href="https://climatecasechart.com/case/energy-transfer-equity-lp-v-greenpeace-international/">federal lawsuit</a> was principally based on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Energy Transfer also named Greenpeace Fund, Inc. and Greenpeace, Inc. as defendants, as well as two other organizations and individual activists. In February 2019, the court dismissed the RICO claims against the Greenpeace entities with prejudice and declined to exercise jurisdiction over the remaining state-law claims. Later that month, Energy Transfer filed a <a href="https://climatecasechart.com/case/energy-transfer-lp-v-greenpeace-international/">lawsuit</a> in North Dakota state court against Greenpeace International, Greenpeace Fund, Inc., and Greenpeace, Inc. (Three individuals and a group that Energy Transfer alleged was a “front organization” for Greenpeace Fund, Inc. and Greenpeace, Inc. were also originally defendants in the state court case.) In March 2025, a jury in the North Dakota state court found that Greenpeace Inc., Greenpeace International, and Greenpeace Fund, Inc. were liable for almost $667 million in compensatory and exemplary damages to Energy Transfer entities based on state law claims, including trespass, trespass to chattel, conversion, nuisance, defamation, tortious interference with business, and conspiracy. The Greenpeace entities indicated they will appeal if the trial court does not reverse the jury’s verdict.

On July 23, 2024, GPI sent a notice of liability to Energy Transfer (ET) under the European Union’s Anti-SLAPP Directive, stating that GPI holds ET liable for the costs of legal representation and trial expenses incurred as a result of ET’s actions. “SLAPP” stands for Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. The EU’s Anti-SLAPP directive was passed on April 11, 2024. On September 6, 2024, ET responded by rejecting liability and insisting its legal action was not a SLAPP suit.

In February 2025, GPI filed a case with the Public Prosecutor of the District Court of Amsterdam, citing violations of the anti-SLAPP Directives under Dutch law. GPI cited Article 6:162 (1) and (2) under the Dutch civil law, which prohibits tortious and improper social conduct. They also cited Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which entitles NGOs to the right to freedom of expression and the right to impart information. Finally, GPI cited the European Union Anti-SLAPP Directive, which GPI said was intended to shield “public watchdogs” from SLAPP suits both within and outside of the EU.

Energy Transfer insists that the lawsuits against GPI are not SLAPPs but a legitimate exercise of the company’s rights under North Dakota State Law. They maintain that there is no legal basis to establish legal liability under European or Dutch law.

Greenpeace International v. Energy Transfer

<p>This entry was provided by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. Please see the terms of use for citation and licensing of third party data.</p>

Greenpeace International v. Energy Transfer - complaint

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Justice is the ethical and political framework that addresses fairness, including issues of responsibility, rights, and structural inequity.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

A loan is a policy instrument where funds are provided to a borrower with the expectation of repaying the principal plus interest.

Using laws and the legal system more broadly to protect vulnerable entities

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

Social inclusion is the process of improving the terms on which individuals and groups take part in society—improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.

Oil is a combustible liquid fossil fuel composed mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring as crude oil and refined into petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and kerosene.

Fossil gas, commonly known as natural gas, is a fossil fuel consisting chiefly of methane with smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and trace gases, found in underground deposits.

People with different national or cultural traditions from the dominant population

Social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, occupy or from which they have been displaced

Activities that involve planning, designing and building infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures.

This sector involves activities to move goods and people, alongside the storage of products.

This sector creates and distributes information and entertainment through television, radio, print, and digital platforms.

This sector includes firms and individuals offering specialised expertise in fields such as law, accounting, consulting, science and engineering.

Activities of businesses and institutions that provide financial services and products to individuals and organisations.

Greenpeace International v. Energy Transfer - complaint

Policy instrument

Impacted group

Just transition

Fossil fuel

Economic sector

Finance