SINT MAARTEN/THE NETHERLANDS – Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell must do more to fight climate change and slash its carbon dioxide emissions more quickly than planned, judges in The Hague said on Wednesday.

‘Shell must do its part to contribute to the fight against dangerous climate change,’ the court said. ‘The oil company is required to reduce the carbon dioxide emitted by the Shell group and its customers by 45% net by the end of 2030, compared with the level in 2019.’

Milieudefensie, the Dutch branch of Friends of the Earth, led the case against the The Hague-headquartered multinational, which was supported by other environmental groups and some 17,000 ordinary citizens.

The environmental group argued that Shell is violating Dutch liability law by emitting two times as much carbon dioxide as the Netherlands as a whole.

Shell argued that these emissions do not come from its headquarters but its subsidiaries in some 80 countries around the world, and any complaint must be taken up with them directly.

Milieudefensie director Donald Pols told reporters before hearings started in December 2020 that the lawsuit was ‘unique’. He claimed that if the environmentalists were successful, this would be the first court to order a private company to change its business model to reduce its carbon footprint.

Shell had argued that it cannot be held liable in the Netherlands for events that take place worldwide. ‘The scene of the crime, in this case, is the location where the emissions take place,’ a Shell lawyer told the court.

Urgenda

Activists worldwide are watching the case closely. Following a 2019 Dutch Supreme Court ruling, known as the Urgenda decision, the Dutch government was ordered to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% of 1990 levels by the end of 2020.

That ruling found that the Dutch government was required to meet the conditions of international treaties, including the Paris climate agreement. In the present case, Shell argued that because it isn’t a party to such treaties, as they are between nations, it isn’t obliged to meet their targets.

Shell is facing pressure to change its strategy on several fronts. Earlier this month, some 30% of Shell shareholders backed a motion by campaign group Follow This at the company’s AGM, calling on the oil and gas giant to draw up a more ambitious plan to help meet Paris agreement climate targets.

(DutchNews)

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - The Justice Committee of Parliament will meet on May 26, 2021.

The Committee meeting, which was adjourned on March 31, 2021 will be reconvened on Wednesday at 11.00 hrs. at the House of Parliament. The Minister of Justice will be in attendance.

The agenda points are:

1. Discussion with the Minister of Justice regarding Immigration:
   - Immigration Border and Protection
   - Border Protection Project
   - Protocol
   - Residence Permit Guidelines (IS/448/2020-2021 dated February 25, 2021)
2. Update on the status of the prison

-Update on guard capacity

-Update on the maximum amount of inmates allowed by law (IS/403/2020-2021 dated February 15, 2021)

This agenda point was requested by MP O.E.C. Ottley.

Due to measures taken to mitigate the coronavirus (COVID-19), the House of Parliament is only allowing persons with an appointment to enter the Parliament building.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 115, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and Parliament’s Facebook page: Parliament of Sint Maarten

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) - The Committee of Constitutional Affairs and Decolonization (CCAD) of Parliament will meet on May 26, 2021.

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 14.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Mr. Peter Choharis of the Coharis Law Group will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Presentation on the submitted UN Petition by Mr. P. Choharis

Due to measures taken to mitigate the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the House of Parliament is only allowing persons with an appointment to enter the Parliament building.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 115, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and Parliament’s Facebook page: Parliament of Sint Maarten

BONAIRE (KRALENDIJK) - On Sunday the 23^rd of May 2021, two persons were arrested at Flamingo International Airport on suspicion of possession or smuggling of narcotics. The arrests took place following a collective control by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (KMar) and the Customs Caribbean Netherlands.

During the check, a number of persons were checked by means of a urine test, which indicates whether someone possibly has drugs in his or her body. Of the persons checked, two persons tested positive. These persons were arrested by Customs CN and handed over to the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.

After the arrest, both suspects submitted to a body scan, which shows whether there are drugs carried in the body. After the scan, one person was released, the second person remains in custody pending further investigation.

At BIA airport, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and the Dutch Caribbean Customs carry out regular collaborative checks with the aim of identifying and stopping cross-border crime. The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee carries out the further investigation on behalf of the Public Prosecution Service. (RCN Caribbean Netherlands)