Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Greenpeace International’s landmark anti-SLAPP lawsuit against Energy Transfer took another step forward in the Amsterdam District Court, today. The hearing reviewed the pipeline company’s latest attempt to avoid accountability under Dutch law and the European Union’s anti-SLAPP directive for back-to-back abusive lawsuits filed in the US.[1] Netherlands-based Greenpeace International is seeking legal recognition that Energy Transfer has acted unlawfully as well as relief from the harm that has resulted. The Court said it would make a decision by 3 June 2026 on Energy Transfer’s plea for dismissal or pause of the anti-SLAPP lawsuit.[2]  

Mads Christensen, Greenpeace International, Executive Director said: “Energy Transfer cannot hide from justice — no matter how hard they try. Greenpeace International is holding this Big Oil bully accountable under Dutch and EU law for repeated attempts at silencing our free speech. We will continue to resist all forms of intimidation and believe Energy Transfer will have to answer for its actions here in the Netherlands.”

“With the world’s continued dependence on fossil fuels wreaking havoc around the globe, Greenpeace International’s anti-SLAPP landmark case against Energy Transfer is bigger than us: This is about stopping corporations from weaponising the courts against anyone who dares to speak out for the public good.” 

Energy Transfer’s back-to-back lawsuits against Greenpeace International and the Greenpeace organisations in the US (Greenpeace Inc. and Greenpeace Fund) remain blatant attempts to silence free speech, erase Indigenous leadership of the Standing Rock movement, and punish solidarity with the ongoing, peaceful resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline.[3] These are clear-cut examples of SLAPPs — lawsuits attempting to bury nonprofits and activists in legal fees and ultimately silence dissent. 

Daniel Simons, Senior Legal Counsel Strategic Defense, Greenpeace International said: “Energy Transfer continues attempting to evade accountability because it knows it cannot justify its repeated abusive lawsuits. We feel confident the court will allow Greenpeace International’s anti-SLAPP case to proceed on the merits and that Energy Transfer will face justice. We carry on this legal fight to remedy the harms suffered as a result of Energy Transfer’s intimidation tactics and to ensure corporate bullies know there is now a price to pay if you bring SLAPP suits.”

In parallel to the anti-SLAPP case in the Netherlands, Greenpeace International and Greenpeace organisations in the US continue the legal fight against Energy Transfer’s most recent SLAPP in North Dakota. Following a District Court judgment awarding US$345 million to Energy Transfer in February 2026, the Greenpeace defendants are seeking a new trial and, if necessary, will appeal the decision with the North Dakota Supreme Court.[4] 

The 16 April hearing in Greenpeace International’s landmark anti-SLAPP case against Big Oil bully Energy Transfer marks the beginning of a series of organising, marches, and activities around the world collectively called Facing Down Bullies.

ENDS

Photo and video can be found in the Greenpeace Media Library.

Notes 

1. Energy Transfer requested an anti-suit injunction from the North Dakota District Court in July 2025 looking for protection from Greenpeace International’s anti-SLAPP lawsuit in the Netherlands. In September 2025, the North Dakota District Court denied the request. Energy Transfer subsequently appealed that decision to the North Dakota Supreme Court, which has not yet issued a decision. 
2. Energy Transfer has appeared in the anti-SLAPP case, represented by Dutch counsel, and has lodged a preliminary plea, seeking the dismissal of the case arguing that the Amsterdam District Court lacks jurisdiction, and in the alternative, asking for a stay (suspension) of the proceedings until the final outcome of the case in North Dakota. Greenpeace International has lodged its reply. 
3. Energy Transfer’s first lawsuit was filed in federal court in 2017 under the RICO Act – the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a US federal statute designed to prosecute mob activity. The case was dismissed in 2019, with the judge stating the evidence fell “far short” of what was needed to establish a RICO enterprise. The federal court did not decide on Energy Transfer’s claims based on state law, so Energy Transfer promptly filed a new case in a North Dakota state court with these and other state law claims.
4. Greenpeace defendants file motion for new trial in North Dakota court.

Contact: 

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

Join the Greenpeace SLAPP Trial WhatsApp Group for our latest updates

It’s time for facing down bullies. 

When we look at the state of the world, we see a pattern that cannot be ignored: Rights and freedoms are under threat from corporations and from autocrats. People and organisations are targeted for telling the truth, for solidarity, and for defending their communities from corporate extractivism.

People around the world are tired of billionaires and corporate polluters behaving like the law does not apply to them.

Facing down a Big Oil bully in court

Greenpeace International faces Big Oil bully Energy Transfer at the Amsterdam  court on 16 April as part of our landmark anti-SLAPP case to pursue justice in our home territory under Dutch and EU law. 

Energy Transfer has been waging abusive lawsuits against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace in the US for nearly a decade. In February, a North Dakota District Court awarded the US-based pipeline company US$345 million in damages. These SLAPPs are blatant attempts to silence free speech, erase Indigenous leadership of the Standing Rock movement, and punish solidarity with peaceful resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline. 

They want us — and all climate activists — to be scared by their corporate intimidation tactics. But their tactics won’t succeed. We have already filed a motion for a new trial in the US and will, if necessary, appeal. 

Energy Transfer is desperate to avoid this case. Of course they are. Bullies always think they can get away with anything.

Why this anti-SLAPP case matters for activists everywhere

This landmark anti-SLAPP lawsuit – invoking the European Union’s new directive for the first time – sends a clear message to every bully, billionaire, and corporate polluter: your era of intimidation is over, and your tactics of fear will no longer work.

And it also sends a message to our allies: that it is time to resist. We know we are strongest together, and we know we can win this legal fight.

At the end of the day, this case is about a simple, undeniable truth: that power belongs to the people. It cannot be hijacked by bullies — and it certainly cannot be bought by oligarchs.

We are shining a light on the global threat of SLAPPs.

We will make sure this bully understands that its intimidation attempts are failing.

And we want any corporations thinking of using a lawsuit as a weapon to know these tactics will  backfire.

We stand firm. We stand together. And we will not be silenced.

Resist Corporate Intimidation

Send a message to all corporate bullies that you’re part of a growing movement resisting corporate intimidation.

Make a Time to Resist Banner