Climate Accountability

On April 17, 2018, the Colorado communities of Boulder County, San Miguel County, and the City of Boulder—with legal support from EarthRights International, Niskanen Center, and other co-counsel—filed a lawsuit against Suncor and ExxonMobil ("Exxon"), two oil companies with significant responsibility for climate change. The communities have demanded that these companies pay their fair share of the costs associated with climate change impacts so that the costs do not fall disproportionately on taxpayers.

A rally was held in Boulder to announce the lawsuit, and footage of the speakers can be found on the Boulder County Government Facebook page.

There have been several updates since 2018, including:

• February 8, 2022 - Appeals Court confirms that the historic climate lawsuit will proceed in state court -- Read the 2022 press release.
• February 5, 2021 - Colorado communities’ lawsuit against oil giants to continue in local court -- Read the 2021 press release.
• New EarthRights Colorado Climate Accountability webpage -- Earthrights has created a new webpage with updated information about the lawsuit.
• Update on fossil fuel lobbying at the national level --  EarthRights began social media engagement to raise awareness of what’s happening in Congress right now. Check out their Twitter (@EarthRightsIntl) or read this blog to get up to speed. They are watching closely to make sure that Congress does not grant the fossil fuel industry immunity from lawsuits.