The conversation is based on a forthcoming chapter in the book Climate Obstruction - A Global Assessment on OUP. Apart from us talking in the episode above, Ann-Kristin Bergquist, Ada Nissen and @stellalevantesi.bsky.social have made important contributions!

With insights by @alexruser.bsky.social @corporateeurope.org @pascoesabido.bsky.social @kennethhaar.bsky.social @ciel.org @e3g.bsky.social @greenpeace.eu @influencemap.bsky.social

Narratives that play into the messaging that people will bear the brunt of climate policies actively fail to take into account that climate policy can and must align with socioeconomic protection.

Far-right parties and big business exploit economic insecurity to undermine climate policies, falsely claiming that the green transition and social justice are mutually exclusive. But researchers stress both are possible — under the right conditions.

Environmental organizations and climate advocates @caneurope.org @cleanaircatf.bsky.social are calling for member states to “defend” and protect the “integrity and impact” of the regulation, and to commit to the requirements, rather than push for the legislation to be reopened.

According to the new report by @influencemap.bsky.social, industry groups in the US, in particular, have been lobbying at the EU level to weaken measures that would ensure fossil fuel imports are meeting Europe’s methane requirements for the sector.

Under the new rules, oil, gas and coal companies will be required to measure, report and verify emissions (MRV), as well as meet specific conditions for detecting leaks and repairs (LDAR). They would also be banned from routine venting and flaring, including from imported fossil fuels.

Thank you, Nick!

The impacts of SLAPP suits go beyond the individuals targeted with lawsuits: SLAPPs can be part of a wider public relations “offensive that seeks to retaliate against, bully, or intimidate critics and civil society,” @business-humanrights.org

A key problem with SLAPPs is that they tend to have an inherent power imbalance. Part of the goal is to have a “chilling effect” which results in self-censorship, said Charlie Holt @clidef.bsky.social.

SLAPPs operate based on the false perception that they have substantial merits when their aim is really to “derail or repress the adversary,” said Lauren Regan, director of litigation and advocacy at @cldc03.bsky.social and chair of the legal working group Protect the Protest in the United States.

A new report by CASE & @daphne-foundation.bsky.social shows that SLAPPs continue to rise in Europe with a total of 1,049 cases (2010-2023). The lawsuits cover a broad range of topics: environmental issues made up the second-most-targeted subject of all the SLAPP suits reported, behind corruption.