Filipino typhoon survivors sue Shell over climate change

Survivors of a deadly 2021 typhoon in the Philippines have filed a lawsuit against British oil giant Shell, seeking financial compensation for climate-related devastation, three NGOs supporting them said Thursday.

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Typhoon Rai struck the southern and central regions of the Philippines in December 2021, toppling power lines and trees and unleashing deadly floods that killed over 400 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

The lawsuit on behalf of 103 survivors argues Shell's carbon emissions contributed to climate change, impacting Philippine communities.

Trixy Elle, a plaintiff from a fishing community whose home and four boats were swept away in the typhoon, told AFP the lawsuit was about getting justice. "Island residents like us contribute only a small percentage of pollution. But who gets the short stick? The poor like us," said the 34-year-old, who is still paying off high-interest loans she needed to rebuild.

"I am not speaking only for my community but for all Filipinos who experience the effects of climate crises," Elle said, adding that her now 13-year-old son still suffers from trauma caused by the storm.

In a joint statement, the NGOs backing the suit said it represents "a decisive step to hold oil giant Shell accountable for the deaths, injuries and destruction left by the climate-fuelled storm".