A North Dakota court has issued a final ruling ordering Greenpeace to pay $345 million in damages to Energy Transfer, operator of the Dakota Access Pipeline, culminating a years-long legal battle that began with massive protests against the pipeline’s construction. The judgment, delivered by Judge James Gion on Friday, substantially reduced the original $660 million damages award determined by a jury last year, which found Greenpeace entities liable for trespass, nuisance, conspiracy and deprivation of property access during the 2016-2017 demonstrations.
The case stems from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s historic protest movement against the pipeline, which became one of the largest anti-fossil fuel demonstrations in U.S. history. Energy Transfer, a Dallas-based energy conglomerate, accused Greenpeace of orchestrating violence and defamation campaigns during the pipeline’s controversial construction nearly a decade ago.
Greenpeace has vehemently denied all allegations, characterizing the proceedings as an abusive tactic designed to silence environmental dissent. The organization maintains it played only a minor, peaceful role in the predominantly Native American-led movement. Legal experts have expressed grave concerns about the ruling’s implications, with Columbia Law School’s climate change law center director Michael Gerrard describing the judgment as ‘devastating’ for the global environmental movement.
The case has drawn international attention due to its potential chilling effect on protest mobilization and advocacy movements worldwide. Environmental defenders have rallied behind Greenpeace, denouncing the verdict as an attack on climate activism. The United Nations previously raised concerns about potential violations of Indigenous sovereignty during the original protests.
Despite the reduction in damages, Greenpeace has indicated it cannot pay the staggering sum and will pursue an appeals process. The organization has also announced plans to countersue Energy Transfer in the Netherlands, where its international headquarters are located, accusing the company of using strategic lawsuits to suppress legitimate dissent.
Energy Transfer, led by billionaire CEO Kelcy Warren—a major donor to former President Donald Trump—has objected to the halving of its award. Warren has been openly vocal about his motivations, stating in interviews that his ‘primary objective’ was to ‘send a message’ rather than seek financial compensation.