Greenpeace and ReCommon have requested a suspension of the proceedings against Eni: Company

Eni SPA has said plaintiffs in a climate case in Rome against the Italian energy company are seeking a delay in the trial after the judge scheduled the decision for September.

Greenpeace and ReCommon, as well as twelve Italian citizens, sued the state-controlled energy company last May. According to Greenpeace, the lawsuit concerns “past and potential future damages resulting from its contribution to climate change.”

Eni stated in a recent statement on the request for suspension of the proceedings: “The suspension followed the filing of a judicial review of the Italian dispute (although jurisdiction had already been excluded from the so-called ‘Giudizio Universale’ procedure brought by several associations against the Italian State, which also concerns climate issues)”.

“Greenpeace and ReCommon’s request risks a prolonged stay of decision that would otherwise have been expected shortly,” the statement on the website continues. “Any delay would allow Greenpeace and ReCommon to continue their ongoing disinformation campaign, prioritizing media attention over thorough research, analysis and evaluation.”

“This crucial fact-finding process, which was supposed to take place in court, is now being postponed at the behest of the parties who brought the lawsuit.”

The court case in Rome aims to force Eni to “revise its industrial strategy and reduce emissions by at least 45 percent by 2030 compared to 2020 levels, as called for by the international scientific community, in order to keep the average global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees Celsius in accordance with the Paris Agreement,” Greenpeace said in a statement on May 9.

The Italian Ministry of Economy, which controls Eni, was also named as a defendant and called on the company to “pursue an ambitious climate policy to shape its participation in the company in line with the Paris Agreement,” the statement on Greenpeace’s website said.

Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SPA, which holds 28.5 percent of Eni’s share capital, was also named as a defendant.

Eni insisted at the time that the company was aiming for a “just transition” towards net zero emissions by 2050.

“In addressing the challenges facing Eni in the energy sector, we remain focused on our priorities and remain committed to promoting access to energy, local development and environmental protection,” said CEO Claudio Descalzi in a May 10 statement.

The company’s online statement said: “To achieve a just transition, special attention has been paid to initiatives that promote access to energy and education in the countries of operation.”

“These include projects in Ivory Coast, Mozambique and Ghana to facilitate access to clean cooking,” said Eni.

In July, Greenpeace and ReCommon said Eni had filed a defamation suit against them, arguing that the aim of the suit was to intimidate the organisations in relation to the lawsuit filed in May.

The lawsuit against Eni in May “attracted considerable international media attention,” so Eni responded with a so-called strategic lawsuit against public participation, they said in a joint statement on July 26.

Greenpeace and ReCommon said they were each asked to pay 50,000 euros (53,500 dollars) to Eni.

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