Dutch court dismisses damage claims by RWE and Uniper
The Dutch government will not have to pay damages to energy giants RWE and Uniper, a Dutch court in The Hague ruled today. The energy companies had filed claims of EUR 1.4 billion and EUR…
Climate change is the result of the way we consume, produce, distribute, consume and throw away worldwide. Based on our many years of research experience, we know what challenges we face. What seems clean and green to us may be based on a grim reality elsewhere in the world.
read more less
the bigger picture
Natural Resources
read more
Statement /
NGOs are calling on EU vice president Frans Timmermans to withdraw from the ECT
Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Poland and Germany want to exit the Energy Charter Treaty as it is not in line with Paris climate goals. Twelve organizations, including SOMO, are calling on Frans Timmermans and…
Long read /
Climate finance as a business model
How Dutch climate negotiators colluded with business and undermined climate finance for developing countries
Opinion /
COP27: EU adoption of a “modernised” Energy Charter Treaty would open door to more climate chaos
News /
The Netherlands wants to exit Energy Charter Treaty
In a parliamentary debate on Tuesday, Dutch minister of Energy and Climate Rob Jetten spoke out in favour of exiting the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT). In doing so, he responded to a broad call from…
Long read /
Even a modernised Energy Charter Treaty is a hurdle to reach climate goals
ISDS not removed from modernised text
News /
Urgent call to the Dutch government: exit the Energy Charter Treaty now
Urgenda, SOMO, Greenpeace, the Dutch labour union FNV and eight other organisations are appealing urgently to the Dutch government to “join as many countries as possible in stepping out of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT)”….
Statement /
Faulty NEA investigation into unsustainable wood pellet production
Following SOMO’s publication Wood pellet damage (2021), the Dutch State Secretary of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy at the time, Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, ordered the Dutch Emissions Authority (NEA) to investigate the report’s findings. The results…
Statement /
European Union: rules for batteries should cover bauxite, copper, iron
The European Union’s proposed batteries regulation should require importers and manufacturers to source the bauxite, copper, and iron used in batteries responsibly, a coalition of 16 organizations said today. The coalition includes Amnesty International, Earthworks,…
News /
Delivery companies need more ambitious goals to help curb global warming
Despite the fact that the fastly growing e-commerce sector has a big and increasing impact on global warming, six leading delivery companies to date have failed to formulate goals that are sufficiently ambitious. In “Parcel…
Statement /
Declaration on mining and the energy transition ahead of COP26
SOMO and 140 other organisations support a just and rapid transition away from fossil fuels and towards a renewable energy system. However, we are concerned about the impacts of extracting minerals, such as lithium, cobalt,…
News /
SOMO stands by its research results: Biomass from Estonia causes serious damage to nature
On 7 October, the interest group Energie-Nederland, which represents Dutch energy companies, published a critical report which they had commissioned forestry consultancy Indufor to carry out. The report disputes the conclusions of SOMO’s report “Wood…
Opinion /
Pull the plug on the Energy Charter Treaty
News /
Biomass production for the Netherlands is causing serious damage to Estonia’s natural environment
The production of wood pellets for biomass used in Dutch coal-fired power plants is causing serious damage to forests and biodiversity in Estonia. This does not comply with Dutch sustainability criteria on biomass. The full…
Publication /
Responsible disengagement from coal as part of a just transition
Exploring due diligence, disengagement and contribution to grave human rights violations associated with coal mining in Cesar Department, Colombia
News /
Coal mines must close, but not without just solutions for communities and workers
Mining and energy companies must stop extracting and burning coal if disastrous climate change is to be avoided. But what will this transition mean for communities and workers that depend on coal mining for their…
Publication /
Wood pellet damage
How Dutch government subsidies for Estonian biomass aggravate the biodiversity and climate crisis
News /
How the green energy transition fuels human rights abuses in South Africa
As the growing popularity of electric vehicles sparks an increased demand for battery-related minerals, new research by ActionAid and SOMO exposes the harmful impact of manganese mining on communities in South Africa. Publication / June…