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‘Climate action is too costly’: how the far right and big business are weaponising social instability to block progress

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Reposted by Stella Levantesi

Kenneth Haar @kennethhaar.bsky.social · Jul 25

Can you have both social justice and tackle climate change?

Of course.

But the European far right is spreading the myth
that we have to choose (actually, they want neither).

Great piece from VoxEurop @stellalevantesi.bsky.social with contributions from me/CEO.

voxeurop.eu/en/climate-a...

Far-right parties and industry lobbies across Europe exploit economic insecurity to undermine climate policies, claiming a choice between green transition and social justice. But researchers stress bo...

‘Climate action is too costly’: how the far right and big business are weaponising social instability to block progress

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Reposted by Stella Levantesi

Voxeurop – Independent European journalism @voxeurop.bsky.social · Jul 25

🌍🇪🇺 #FarRight parties are adopting a “green” mask – but behind it lies a strategy to block #EU #climate action & protect big business. @stellalevantesi.bsky.social fact-checked how.
🔎 voxeurop.eu/en/climate-a...
#Greenwashing #RightWatch #Europe #Populism #ClimateAction #Disinfo #EMIF

Far-right parties and industry lobbies across Europe exploit economic insecurity to undermine climate policies, claiming a choice between green transition and social justice. But researchers stress bo...

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jul 25

With insights by @alexruser.bsky.social @corporateeurope.org @pascoesabido.bsky.social @kennethhaar.bsky.social @ciel.org @e3g.bsky.social @greenpeace.eu @influencemap.bsky.social

Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jul 25

Narratives that play into the messaging that people will bear the brunt of climate policies actively fail to take into account that climate policy can and must align with socioeconomic protection.

Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jul 25

Far-right parties and big business exploit economic insecurity to undermine climate policies, falsely claiming that the green transition and social justice are mutually exclusive. But researchers stress both are possible — under the right conditions.

‘Climate action is too costly’: how the far right and big business are weaponising social instability to block progress

Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jul 25

How the far right and industry lobbies across Europe are weaponising social instability and economic insecurity to block progress and climate action. My latest @voxeurop.bsky.social

voxeurop.eu/en/climate-a...

Far-right parties and industry lobbies across Europe exploit economic insecurity to undermine climate policies, claiming a choice between green transition and social justice. But researchers stress both are possible — under the right conditions.

Climate Lawsuit Against Oil Giant Eni Can Move Forward, Italy Supreme Court Says in 'Historical' Ruling

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Reposted by Stella Levantesi

DeSmog @desmog.com · Jul 24

'Historic' win for climate justice in Italy! 🇮🇹 Supreme Court rules that the lawsuit vs. oil giant Eni can proceed, opening doors for more environmental accountability. Get the full details: buff.ly/qXv5SSH #ClimateJustice #ENI” @stellalevantesi.bsky.social

Decision paves the way for future environmental cases in Italian courts and represents the latest EU nation to hold Big Oil accountable through litigation.

buff.ly

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jul 24

This week, Italy’s highest court ruled that a climate lawsuit brought by Greenpeace Italy and ReCommon against Eni can move forward. A “historical" decision with crucial implications for the future of climate litigation.

My latest @desmog.com
www.desmog.com/2025/07/24/c...

Climate Lawsuit Against Oil Giant Eni Can Move Forward, Italy Supreme Court Says in 'Historical' Ruling

Decision paves the way for future environmental cases in Italian courts and represents the latest EU nation to hold Big Oil accountable through litigation.

Oil and Gas Lobby Behind ‘Concerted’ Attempt to Weaken EU Methane Policy, Research Finds

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jul 4

The heatwave in Europe is bringing temperatures up to 46°C. This week I talked to BBC World Service about the connection between heatwaves & climate change, what the situation is in Italy, what the extreme heat means for health, & what happens when it will “dissipate”: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

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Reposted by Stella Levantesi

DeSmog @desmog.com · Jun 10

🟡 NEW 🟡

Oil and Gas Lobby Behind ‘Concerted’ Attempt to Weaken EU Methane Policy - New Report

📝 @stellalevantesi.bsky.social 👇

www.desmog.com/2025/06/10/o...

The fossil fuel industry is ramping up efforts to weaken a key EU policy aimed at tackling the potent greenhouse gas methane, according to a new report by research group InfluenceMap. Published today,...

Oil and Gas Lobby Behind ‘Concerted’ Attempt to Weaken EU Methane Policy, Research Finds

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Reposted by Stella Levantesi

InfluenceMap @influencemap.bsky.social · Jun 10

New InfluenceMap analysis of oil and gas lobbying reveals methane regulations are being targeted as part of a push within the EU for ‘simplification’.

Read more in @desmog.com: www.desmog.com/2025/06/10/o...

The fossil fuel industry is ramping up efforts to weaken a key EU policy aimed at tackling the potent greenhouse gas methane, according to a new report by research group InfluenceMap. Published today,...

Oil and Gas Lobby Behind ‘Concerted’ Attempt to Weaken EU Methane Policy, Research Finds

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jun 11

Environmental organizations and climate advocates @caneurope.org @cleanaircatf.bsky.social are calling for member states to “defend” and protect the “integrity and impact” of the regulation, and to commit to the requirements, rather than push for the legislation to be reopened.

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jun 11

According to the new report by @influencemap.bsky.social, industry groups in the US, in particular, have been lobbying at the EU level to weaken measures that would ensure fossil fuel imports are meeting Europe’s methane requirements for the sector.

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jun 11

Under the new rules, oil, gas and coal companies will be required to measure, report and verify emissions (MRV), as well as meet specific conditions for detecting leaks and repairs (LDAR). They would also be banned from routine venting and flaring, including from imported fossil fuels.

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Jun 11

🧵 New research highlights how oil and gas companies and lobby groups across the EU and US used a range of tactics aimed at weakening the EU’s regulation on methane.

My latest @desmog.com
www.desmog.com/2025/06/10/o...

The fossil fuel industry is ramping up efforts to weaken a key EU policy aimed at tackling the potent greenhouse gas methane, according to a new report by research group InfluenceMap. Published today,...

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Dec 19

Thank you, Nick!

New Report Shows a Surge in European SLAPP Suits as Fossil Fuel Industry Works to Obstruct Climate Action

Reposted by Stella Levantesi

Nick Cunningham @nickcunningham.bsky.social · Dec 19

Excellent (and alarming) piece from @stellalevantesi.bsky.social on the surge of SLAPP suits to silence and repress opposition to oil and gas projects

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Reposted by Stella Levantesi

DeSmog @desmog.com · Dec 17

🔴 NEW 🔴

New report reveals a surge in SLAPP suits across Europe, as the fossil fuel industry weaponizes legal threats to stifle climate action and dissent. But experts say these lawsuits need to be fought, not feared. #SLAPPSuits

@stellalevantesi.bsky.social reports: www.desmog.com/2024/12/17/n...

But experts say these “abusive” lawsuits, which are designed to demoralize and drain resources from activists, should be fought, not feared.

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Dec 18

The impacts of SLAPP suits go beyond the individuals targeted with lawsuits: SLAPPs can be part of a wider public relations “offensive that seeks to retaliate against, bully, or intimidate critics and civil society,” @business-humanrights.org

Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Dec 18

A key problem with SLAPPs is that they tend to have an inherent power imbalance. Part of the goal is to have a “chilling effect” which results in self-censorship, said Charlie Holt @clidef.bsky.social.

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Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Dec 18

SLAPPs operate based on the false perception that they have substantial merits when their aim is really to “derail or repress the adversary,” said Lauren Regan, director of litigation and advocacy at @cldc03.bsky.social and chair of the legal working group Protect the Protest in the United States.

Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Dec 18

A new report by CASE & @daphne-foundation.bsky.social shows that SLAPPs continue to rise in Europe with a total of 1,049 cases (2010-2023). The lawsuits cover a broad range of topics: environmental issues made up the second-most-targeted subject of all the SLAPP suits reported, behind corruption.

New Report Shows a Surge in European SLAPP Suits as Fossil Fuel Industry Works to Obstruct Climate Action

Stella Levantesi @stellalevantesi.bsky.social · Dec 18

Surge in SLAPP suits as fossil fuel industry works to obstruct climate action: experts say these “abusive” lawsuits, designed to silence those speaking out, fighting to hold key players accountable, should be fought, not feared. My latest Gaslit @desmog.bsky.social

www.desmog.com/2024/12/17/n...

But experts say these “abusive” lawsuits, which are designed to demoralize and drain resources from activists, should be fought, not feared.