The New York Supreme Court granted a motion by the beef producer companies JBS USA Food Company and JBS USA Food Company Holdings (JBS USA) to dismiss the New York State Attorney General’s climate washing action to the extent of granting the Attorney General leave to file an amended complaint. The Attorney General alleged that JBS USA violated the New York General Business Law by making misleading and unsubstantiated claims regarding its commitment to climate goals, including achievement of net zero emissions by 2040. From the bench, the court granted the Attorney General 90 days to file an amended complaint that would, among other things, “articulate … more clearly” the basis for subjecting JBS USA to jurisdiction in New York. The court also suggested during oral argument that the complaint needed “a clearer statement of how the statute was violated” even after JBS USA changed its language to refer to “ambition to achieve” net zero rather than “commitment to achieve.”

New York State attorney general's greenwashing lawsuit against beef producer for allegedly making unsubstantiated claims regarding its "Net Zero by 2040" commitment.

People v. JBS USA Food Co.

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New York Court Granted Attorney General Leave to File New Complaint in Climate Washing Action Against Beef Producer

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