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 pipeline company Energy Transfer.
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
- 03 Jun 2026 – Amsterdam District Court judgment rejecting Energy Transfer’s interim plea, also in English (machine translation)
- 11 Nov 2025 – Greenpeace International’s reply to the interim plea (Conclusie van Antwoord in Incident), also in English
- 30 Sep 2025 – Energy Transfer’s interim plea contesting jurisdiction and seeking a stay based on lis pendens
- 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
For Energy Transfer’s Anti-Suit Injunction documents related to this case, visit the Legal Documents from ET’s SLAPP lawsuit page
Updates
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Greenpeace International wins preliminary phase of anti-SLAPP case vs. Energy Transfer
Greenpeace International’s landmark anti-SLAPP lawsuit took a major step forward today when the Amsterdam District Court rejected Energy Transfer’s latest attempt to avoid accountability for its unlawful actions, including back-to-back abusive lawsuits filed in the US.
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Greenpeace International’s landmark anti-SLAPP case against Energy Transfer moves forward following restrictions from North Dakota Supreme Court
“Today’s North Dakota Supreme Court opinion does not enable Energy Transfer to escape accountability under Dutch and EU law for their unlawful actions against Greenpeace International.”
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Dutch court hears Greenpeace International’s arguments against Energy Transfer’s latest attempt to evade accountability
Greenpeace International landmark anti-SLAPP lawsuit against Energy Transfer took another step forward in the Amsterdam District Court.
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We’re taking a Big Oil bully to court
Greenpeace International is taking Big Oil bully Energy Transfer to court in Amsterdam, using EU anti-SLAPP rules to push back against abusive lawsuits meant to silence climate activism and Indigenous-led resistance to the Dakota Access Pipeline. We stand firm against corporate intimidation and for people’s right to speak out.
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Greenpeace International’s landmark anti-SLAPP case going forward after North Dakota judge rejects Energy Transfer request for anti-suit injunction
Greenpeace International’s landmark anti-intimidation lawsuit against Energy Transfer continues in the Netherlands after a North Dakota judge rejected the pipeline company’s attempt to avoid accountability under the European Union’s anti-SLAPP laws.
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Greenpeace International begins groundbreaking Anti-SLAPP case to protect freedom of speech
In a first, landmark test case of the EU’s new legislation to protect freedom of expression and stop abusive lawsuits, Greenpeace International challenges the US oil pipeline company, Energy Transfer, in court in the Netherlands.
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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.
