By Anthony Deutsch and Simon Jessop

AMSTERDAM/LONDON – The Dutch wing of Friends of the Earth won a major court victory last year against Royal Dutch Shell (LON). A campaign was launched Thursday that targets 30 large corporate emitters.

Milieudefensie targets large corporations with Dutch legal bases. A court in May ruled that Shell had to decrease its environmental footprint.

In accordance with the Paris climate agreement, letters were sent to the heads of companies asking them to provide detailed plans detailing how they plan on reducing their emissions by at least 45% by 2030 from 2019. Peer De Rijk, Milieudefensie policy officer, warned that failure to provide plans could lead to legal action.

We are clear in our belief that we will prevail in court if necessary. De Rijk said in an interview that he hoped the companies would move on their own.

He said, “We are open to engaging in negotiations, but we’re in a hurry, so talks won’t be accepted for their sake.” The climate science is clear. It is precisely what we need. They have no other choice, so they’ll just have to.”

Shell appeals against an order by The Hague District Court to reduce emissions consistent with 2015 Paris Agreement.

KLM, which is the Dutch branch of Air France KLM (OTC), ABN Amro Bank, Ahold Delhaize, are some of the leaders in the fields finance, retailers and oil and energy majors.

“You lead an enterprise with control over and influence on a substantial amount of CO2 emissions. It is an enterprise capable and required to contribute to the systemic change needed to avoid dangerous climate changes,” Reuters’ draft letter stated.

He stated that although some businesses might not be large in the Netherlands themselves, others have significant international and global impacts. Shell’s verdict cleary states that they can be held responsible via Dutch law for any global emissions.

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Milieudefensie made the move following a country’s commitment to reduce their carbon emissions at the COP26 global climate talks in Glasgow. In November investors with $130 trillion of assets signed up for net-zero. They also pressured companies and corporations to improve their plans.

Research from London School of Economics revealed that Milieudefensie has seen its campaign expand against the backdrop of climate-related litigation rising globally. More than 1000 cases have been brought in this regard since 2015.

Milieudefensie said that scores of companies were concerned about the Shell verdict and set a three month deadline for companies to submit a climate planning.

The group stated that they will be used as a baseline for measuring companies’ efforts to reduce climate-heating gases.

KLM stated that it was unable to comment on the details until receiving the letter in writing, but it committed to aligning their net-zero path with climate science and to using more sustainable aviation fuel.

A spokesperson for ABN stated that the bank supports efforts to curb global warming. The bank was also working towards reducing emissions through its lending. This included encouraging homeowners to increase the efficiency of their homes as well as increasing the amount it lends to renewable energy.

A spokesperson for Ahold was unavailable immediately to comment.

Milieudefensie called upon the Dutch government to not only target companies but also to inscribe the Paris agreement in Dutch law in order to guarantee corporate compliance.