Brazil prosecutors sue Shell for US$108 million over deadly 2024 floods

Brazilian prosecutors have filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against Shell's subsidiary in the country, demanding US$108 million in compensation for the deadly 2024 floods. Torrential rains in April and May of that year caused historic flooding in southern Brazil, resulting in nearly 200 deaths, 500,000 displaced people, and extensive damages.

The lawsuit alleges that Shell's contribution to global warming, estimated at two percent of historical greenhouse gas emissions, is a significant factor in the disaster. Public prosecutors argue that the British energy giant must be held accountable for its environmental and climate-related responsibilities, as well as the collective material and moral damages caused by the extreme weather event in Rio Grande do Sul state.

Shell has not yet been formally notified of the lawsuit. This marks a new phase in the global battle in the courts against oil giants, as it is the first time a national public prosecutor has sued an oil major for a climate disaster. Lawyers and NGOs argue that major polluters must answer for the losses they help cause, and similar lawsuits are pending in several countries.