A Dutch court dealt a devastating blow to climate activists today as it ruled in favor of Shell, which had appealed a landmark decision that forced the oil company to cut its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030. Activists vowed to continue their fight to protect the planet. This is Donald Pols, director of Friends of the Earth Netherlands, one of the groups which brought the case against Shell.

Donald Pols: “It’s too early to announce new steps. We’re going to take the time to read the court judgment. But it’s clear in the summary. The judge stated that the more than 800 oil and gas projects that are planned by Shell, that they are contradictory to the responsibility of Shell to reduce its CO2 emissions in accordance with international climate agreements and contribute to human rights violations.”