Brazilian prosecutors sue Shell for $108 million over 2024 floods

Brazilian prosecutors are seeking compensation from Shell's local subsidiary over the consequences of the 2024 floods. AFP reported that the lawsuit was filed on October 9.

The prosecutors brought the case alongside environmental organisation Instituto Preservar. Their $108 million claim covers material and moral damage from the disaster in Rio Grande do Sul state. Torrential rain in April and May 2024 killed nearly 200 people and forced around 500,000 from their homes.

The claimants seek to tie the company's liability to its contribution to global warming. Court documents reviewed by AFP estimate Shell's share of historical global greenhouse gas emissions at 2%. Prosecutors link their demand to emissions from fossil fuel exploration, production and sales. These are the claimants' arguments, rather than a court finding of liability. Filing the lawsuit does not mean the requested compensation has been awarded.