Fossil Fuel Litigation

Accountability for the Fossil Fuel Industry

Decades before the public knew about the danger of climate change, fossil fuel companies were aware that burning oil, gas, and coal products would result in rapid warming on earth and devastating consequences. These companies engaged in a coordinated, multi-front effort to conceal and contradict their knowledge, discredit the growing body of publicly available science, and persistently create doubt in the minds of customers, consumers, regulators, legislators, journalists, teachers, and the public about the reality and consequences of climate change.

When local governments are forced to pick up the tab for climate change adaptation projects and extreme weather impacts, taxpayers suffer. This lawsuit stands up for Oʻahu families, businesses, and communities by shifting the costs back to the fossil fuel companies who, as we now know, chose to pursue billions of dollars in profit over the livability of our planet.

Honolulu’s Action

With the unanimous passage of Resolution 19-283 on November 12, 2019, the Honolulu City Council authorized the Department of the Corporation Counsel to initiate legal action against fossil fuel companies to recover climate crisis-related costs. This legal action seeks to recover damages from the fossil fuel companies that profited from oil sales in Hawaiʻi and didn’t disclose the dangers of their products. The proceeds of the litigation will help defray costs associated with adapting to sea level rise and other impacts of climate change. The City has retained the services of Sher Edling LLP as Special Deputy Corporation Counsel to pursue the case at no upfront cost to City taxpayers. Sher Edling LLP will only receive compensation if the City is successful in the litigation and recovers damages.

The case documents for City and County of Honolulu vs. Sunoco LP, et al, including the full complaint filed on March 9, 2020, can be found here. Additional information will be provided here as the litigation progresses.