RimbaWatch filed two judicial review applications before the Kuala Lumpur High Court against the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability after both ministries declined to investigate complaints concerning alleged greenwashing by Shell Malaysia. The complaints related to Shell Helix engine oil products marketed as “carbon neutral.” According to RimbaWatch, the products’ packaging and related materials did not provide sufficient information regarding the carbon offsets, offset quantities, or certification methodologies underlying the claims.  

RimbaWatch submitted complaints to both ministries on September 20, 2025. On September 30, 2025, each ministry responded that the matter fell outside its jurisdiction and referred the complaint to the other ministry. RimbaWatch subsequently filed judicial review applications on December 24, 2025, seeking orders quashing the ministries’ decisions, declarations concerning the ministries’ statutory duties to investigate the complaint, and mandamus orders compelling investigation.  

The applications raise questions regarding the scope of governmental duties under Malaysia’s Environmental Quality Act 1974 and Consumer Protection Act 1999 in relation to environmental marketing and consumer protection claims. The applicants also reportedly reference the International Court of Justice’s July 23, 2025 Advisory Opinion on climate change obligations in support of arguments concerning governmental due diligence obligations.  

As of May 2026, the proceedings remained pending at the leave stage before the Kuala Lumpur High Court. A hearing initially scheduled for January 21, 2026 was postponed, and a leave hearing was later scheduled for March 31, 2026.

RimbaWatch & Ors v Ministry of Domestic Trade ;  RimbaWatch & Ors v Ministry of Natural Resources

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RimbaWatch & Ors v Ministry of Domestic Trade ;  RimbaWatch & Ors v Ministry of Natural Resources - press release

Filed

Malaysia

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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

The processes through which enterprises can identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how they address their actual and potential adverse impacts. Due diligence is the idea that reasonable precautions should be taken to avoid causing harm to people, the environment, or society. It also involves identifying and mitigating risks before they occur.

This sector involves the wholesale and retail selling of goods.

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

RimbaWatch & Ors v Ministry of Domestic Trade ; RimbaWatch & Ors v Ministry of Natural Resources - press release

Policy instrument

Fossil fuel

Economic sector