Anti-SLAPP Lawsuit
Greenpeace International vs. Energy Transfer
In a clear message to corporate bullies everywhere, Greenpeace International initiated the first test of the European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive by filing a lawsuit in Dutch court against US-based fossil fuel pipeline company Energy Transfer. A hearing is scheduled for July 2025.

Inside the legal fight against SLAPPs
The meritless lawsuits filed by Energy Transfer (ET) against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace entities in the US since 2017 are clear-cut examples of SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). Like all SLAPPs, ET’s lawsuits have been an attempt to bury nonprofits and activists in legal fees, push them towards bankruptcy and ultimately silence dissent.
Based in the Netherlands, Greenpeace International is citing Dutch law as well as the European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive in seeking to recover all damages and costs it has suffered as a result of ET’s back-to-back, meritless lawsuits demanding hundreds of millions of dollars against GPI and the Greenpeace entities in the United States.
Documents
- 11 Feb 2025 – Summons sent from GPI to Energy Transfer, also in Dutch
- 06 Sep 2024 – Energy Transfer Response to GPI July 2024 Letter
- 23 Jul 2024 – GPI SLAPP Notice of Liability to Energy Transfer
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A landmark test case to stop bullying lawsuits
Greenpeace International faces Energy Transfer in a test case under the EU’s new anti-SLAPP law, aiming to stop corporate bullying and defend free speech.
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Inside Greenpeace International’s legal fight against Big Oil’s bullying lawsuit
Bad news for bullies: Greenpeace International (GPI) initiated the first test of the European Union’s new anti-SLAPP Directive, a major step toward ending the practice of the courts being abused to silence those who speak out on matters of public interest.
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Greenpeace International files lawsuit against Energy Transfer in first use of EU anti-SLAPP Directive
Greenpeace International (GPI) initiated the first test of the European Union’s anti-SLAPP Directive by filing a lawsuit today in Dutch court against US-based fossil fuel pipeline company Energy Transfer.
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Statement on Energy Transfer’s response to Notice of Liability from Greenpeace International
Greenpeace International (GPI) statement on Energy Transfer’s response to the Notice of Liability in which GPI summoned Energy Transfer to drop its SLAPP suit against Greenpeace International and pay damages,…
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Greenpeace International challenges Energy Transfer in first use of EU anti-SLAPP Directive
Energy Transfer’s lawsuit is a perfect prototype of what the EU Directive aims to end: wealthy players using towering legal claims and costs to muzzle criticism.

Legal Documents from ET’s SLAPP lawsuit
