Typhoon Rai Survivors Sue Shell for Climate Destruction in Philippines

Two years ago, in December 2021, Typhoon Rai tore through the Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The powerful storm, known locally as Super Typhoon Odette, killed more than 400 people, displaced nearly 3.2 million, and destroyed over 1 million homes.

The impact was particularly devastating for communities in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, where the typhoon wrecked hectares of farmland and disrupted health services amid a COVID-19 surge. One survivor, Trixy Elle, recounts the harrowing experience of fighting for her life as floodwaters swallowed her family's home on Batasan Island.

Now, Elle and 66 other typhoon survivors are taking action, suing fossil fuel giant Shell in the UK courts. They allege that the company's polluting business has contributed to climate change, which in turn intensified the impact of Typhoon Rai. The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for the losses and damage they experienced under the storm.

This unprecedented legal case, the first of its kind to directly link a polluting company to deaths and personal injuries in the global south, represents a new frontier in climate litigation. The survivors are using Philippine laws to argue that Shell violated their constitutional rights to a healthy environment and caused harm by failing to mitigate its emissions and engaging in climate disinformation.

As climate harms continue to mount, communities in the Philippines and around the world are increasingly turning to the courts in search of accountability and justice. The outcome of this case could set a precedent, potentially paving the way for more climate-related lawsuits targeting major polluters.