On January 15, 2025, a New York City lawsuit aimed at holding ExxonMobil, BP, and Shell accountable for climate change was dismissed by a federal judge. The court ruled that the claims brought forth by the city did not establish a sufficient legal basis for the case to proceed.
The lawsuit sought to recover costs related to climate change impacts, including rising sea levels and increased flooding. City officials expressed disappointment over the ruling, stating their commitment to pursue accountability for the oil companies' contributions to climate-related damages.
This dismissal is part of a broader trend where several municipalities have attempted to take legal action against fossil fuel companies in an effort to address the climate crisis.