WASHINGTON (January 13, 2025)—The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) today denied a petition by Sunoco LP and other fossil fuel companies seeking to halt Honolulu’s climate lawsuit. The case centers on the city of Honolulu holding fossil fuel companies Sunoco, Shell and ExxonMobil accountable for decades of climate disinformation and the resulting damage to communities.
Below is a statement by Dr. Delta Merner, lead scientist for the Science Hub for Climate Litigation at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a resounding affirmation of Honolulu’s right to seek justice under state law for the mounting climate impacts caused by fossil fuel companies’ deceptive practices.
“For more than 50 years, fossil fuel companies have conducted sophisticated disinformation campaigns to obscure their own research showing that burning fossil fuels would drive climate change. This case lays bare how these actions have contributed to rising seas, intensified storms, and coastal erosion that are devastating Honolulu’s people, infrastructure, and natural resources.
“Scientific evidence is unequivocal: the emissions from fossil fuels are the primary driver of climate change. Honolulu’s case stands as an example of how communities are using both science and the law to challenge corporate misconduct and demand accountability for climate damages.
“The people of Honolulu are demonstrating remarkable leadership in standing up to powerful fossil fuel companies whose disinformation campaigns have directly contributed to the climate harms they now face. Their efforts serve as a powerful example for communities around the world. This decision is one step in a larger effort to seek accountability and justice.”
Additional resources:
- Looking Ahead to Climate Litigation in 2025: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities, blog post
- US States and Communities are Suing the Fossil Fuel Industry: Six Things You Need to Know, blog post
- The Climate Deception Dossiers, report
- The Disinformation Playbook, explainer
- Smoke, Mirrors & Hot Air, report
- Your Research Can Help Inform Climate Litigation, blog post