Greenpeace International's landmark anti-SLAPP lawsuit against Energy Transfer continues in the Netherlands after the North Dakota Supreme Court today largely rejected the pipeline company's attempt to avoid accountability under Dutch and EU laws. The court's opinion calls for a "narrowly tailored" anti-suit injunction, but expressly does not "foreclose all related litigation by GPI in the Netherlands."[1] The first hearing in Greenpeace International's anti-SLAPP case against Energy Transfer, for its back-to-back bullying lawsuits in the US, took place on 16 April 2026 in the Amsterdam District Court.
Daniel Simons, Senior Legal Counsel Strategic Defense, Greenpeace International said: "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. The legal fight to remedy the harms suffered as a result of Energy Transfer's intimidation tactics continues."
The North Dakota Supreme Court's order clears the way for Greenpeace International to continue pursuing its anti-SLAPP case in the Netherlands on multiple grounds. It imposes no restriction on arguments that Energy Transfer's failed federal lawsuit was a SLAPP and that out-of-court statements made by the pipeline company are defamatory. Greenpeace International will be permitted to continue arguing Energy Transfer has acted abusively in the pending District Court case that resulted in a US$345 million judgment against Greenpeace International and Greenpeace organisations in the US.[2] The "narrowly tailored" injunction will pertain only to Greenpeace International asking for a finding that the North Dakota case lacks "legal foundation" or is "manifestly unfounded". Greenpeace International has 14 days to file a petition for re-hearing.
