July 2018
The City of Baltimore brought a lawsuit against 26 oil and gas companies whose products — and the decades-long campaigns of deception regarding their repercussions— have left it unduly exposed to an onslaught of climate-caused threats. The suit holds that fossil fuel companies — including ExxonMobil, Shell and Chevron — should help fund the enormous costs associated with planning for and protecting against climate-related risks to Baltimore’s 60 miles of densely developed waterfront and critical port facilities. “These oil and gas companies knew for decades that their products would harm communities like ours, and we’re going to hold them accountable,” Baltimore City Solicitor Andre M. Davis said when the case was filed. “Baltimore’s residents, workers, and businesses shouldn’t have to pay for the damage knowingly caused by these companies.”
- News: Baltimore Sun • Climate Liability News • ThinkProgress
- Analysis: Baltimore Joins Wave of Cities Seeking to Recover Climate Damages (2018) • Appeals Court: Baltimore Climate Damages Lawsuit Against Big Oil Will Stay in State Court (2020) • Appeals court says Baltimore’s case against Big Oil can proceed in state court (2020) • Big Oil asks U.S. Supreme Court to overturn ruling in Baltimore climate case (2020) • Supreme Court Will Review Ruling in Baltimore Climate Liability Suit (2020) • The Supreme Court will review a narrow issue in Baltimore’s climate damages case. Here’s what it does (and doesn’t) mean. (2020) • Supreme Court should reject Big Oil’s bait and switch in climate lawsuit, Baltimore argues (2020) • Supreme Court Sends Baltimore Climate Damages Case Back to Appeals Court (2021) • The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in BP. v. Baltimore, explained (2021) • CCI and partners support Baltimore’s fight to hold Big Oil accountable in state court (2021) • Oil Companies Lose Again: Baltimore Climate Lawsuit Belongs in State Court, Fourth Circuit Affirms (2022)
- Read the Complaint: Mayor and City Council of Baltimore v. BP P.L.C. et al.