Guardian

Judge orders Greenpeace to pay $345m over Dakota Access pipeline protest

The Climate Litigation Database

North Dakota Court Reduced Damages Against Greenpeace Entities in Dakota Access Pipeline Case

North Dakota Jury Found Greenpeace Liable for $667 Million in Connection with Dakota Access Pipeline Protests

PBS News

Judge orders Greenpeace to pay $345 million in pipeline lawsuit, cutting jury amount nearly in half

The Washington Times

Judge Says Order Greenpeace Pay Expected 345 Million Oil Pipeline

Facebook

Welcome to Europe, fossil fuel pipeline giant Energy Transfer - Greenpeace International will see you in court!  Greenpeace Nordic greeted a ship transporting fossil gas from one of the controver

Dakota Access Pipeline Developers Launched New Lawsuit Against Protesters

Greenpeace International

Fighting Energy Transfers SLAPP lawsuit

Charles III

Donald Trump

Elon Musk

Joe Biden

Nancy Pelosi

Xi Jinping

Rishi Sunak

Kamala Harris

Justin Trudeau

Narendra Modi

Bill Gates

Pope Francis

Janet Yellen

Emmanuel Macron

Olaf Scholz

Angela Merkel

Yuval Noah Harari

António Guterres

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Barack Obama

Kofi Annan

Michael Mann

James Inhofe

Greta Thunberg

David Attenborough

Giorgia Meloni

Patrick Michaels

Jane Goodall

Bjorn Lomborg

Freeman Dyson

Metaculus

"[C]limate change is just a very, very expensive form of tax."

"I believe in climate change caused by human beings. What I'm skeptical about is the glib notion that it means the end of the world as we know it."

"The clock is no longer just ticking, it is banging."

"There is no long-term prosperity without action on climate change."

"The time for seeking global solutions [to climate change] is running out."

"The climate crisis is the existential threat. That's not hyperbole; it's a fact."

"[W]e are killing our planet."

Climate change is "above all, an existential crisis."

"Climate change is one of the greatest challenges mankind faces."

"If we don't take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon."

"Humanity is on thin ice — and that ice is melting fast."

"We haven't yet exceeded the bounds of viable human civilisation, but we're getting close."

Is Climate Change an Existential Threat?

A district judge in North Dakota has stated that he will order the environmental activist group Greenpeace to pay approximately $345 million to Energy Transfer due to its role in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

A district judge in North Dakota has stated that he will order the environmental activist group Greenpeace to pay approximately $345 million to Energy Transfer due to its role in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

Energy Transfer initiated legal proceedings against Greenpeace in March 2019, claiming the organization orchestrated an "unlawful and violent scheme" aimed at damaging the company's finances, reputation and employees, as well as obstructing the construction of the pipeline due to its "extremist agenda."

Energy Transfer initiated legal proceedings against Greenpeace in March 2019, claiming the organization orchestrated an "unlawful and violent scheme" aimed at damaging the company's finances, reputation and employees, as well as obstructing the construction of the pipeline due to its "extremist agenda."

In March 2025, a North Dakota jury found Greenpeace Inc. liable on all counts, including trespass, conspiracy and nuisance, while Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund Inc. were found liable for tortious interference and defamation.

In March 2025, a North Dakota jury found Greenpeace Inc. liable on all counts, including trespass, conspiracy and nuisance, while Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund Inc. were found liable for tortious interference and defamation.

The jury subsequently ordered the three Greenpeace entities to pay <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.verity.news/story/2025/greenpeace-hit-with-m-verdict-in-dakota-pipeline-case">nearly $667 million in damages</a> to Energy Transfer and Dakota Access. Gion, however, later reduced that amount to roughly $345 million in October 2025, after disallowing several claims for a lack of evidence and duplication.

The jury subsequently ordered the three Greenpeace entities to pay nearly $667 million in damages to Energy Transfer and Dakota Access. Gion, however, later reduced that amount to roughly $345 million in October 2025, after disallowing several claims for a lack of evidence and duplication.

In a memorandum filed on Tuesday, the judge defended the revised figure, denying a motion by Greenpeace to reduce its liabilities since there was "sufficient evidence" to support the jury's verdict and therefore "no reason to change the Court's decision."

In a memorandum filed on Tuesday, the judge defended the revised figure, denying a motion by Greenpeace to reduce its liabilities since there was "sufficient evidence" to support the jury's verdict and therefore "no reason to change the Court's decision."

Energy Transfer, however, has previously stated that it would appeal the reduced damages, calling the original jury's findings "lawful and just." Greenpeace, meanwhile, plans to seek a new trial and will appeal if denied by the courts.

Energy Transfer, however, has previously stated that it would appeal the reduced damages, calling the original jury's findings "lawful and just." Greenpeace, meanwhile, plans to seek a new trial and will appeal if denied by the courts.

Guardian #3472

The Climate Litigation Database #

PBS News #2731

The Washington Times #

Facebook #

Greenpeace International #

A North Dakota jury awarded nearly $667 million in damages to Energy Transfer and Dakota Access against Greenpeace entities following a 12-day trial. Judge James Gion later reduced this amount to approximately $345 million in October 2025.

A North Dakota jury awarded nearly $667 million in damages to Energy Transfer and Dakota Access against Greenpeace entities following a 12-day trial. Judge James Gion later reduced this amount to approximately $345 million in October 2025.

The lawsuit stemmed from protests in 2016 and 2017 against the Dakota Access Pipeline near its Missouri River crossing upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's reservation. Thousands of people demonstrated and camped near the project site during this period.

The lawsuit stemmed from protests in 2016 and 2017 against the Dakota Access Pipeline near its Missouri River crossing upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's reservation. Thousands of people demonstrated and camped near the project site during this period.

The jury found Greenpeace USA liable on all counts including conspiracy, trespass, nuisance and tortious interference with business relations. Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund Inc. were found liable for some claims including defamation.

The jury found Greenpeace USA liable on all counts including conspiracy, trespass, nuisance and tortious interference with business relations. Greenpeace International and Greenpeace Fund Inc. were found liable for some claims including defamation.

Energy Transfer stated it intends to appeal the reduced damages, calling the original jury findings and damages "lawful and just." Greenpeace plans to seek a new trial and will appeal if denied, maintaining the remaining claims are legally unfounded.

Energy Transfer stated it intends to appeal the reduced damages, calling the original jury findings and damages "lawful and just." Greenpeace plans to seek a new trial and will appeal if denied, maintaining the remaining claims are legally unfounded.

In a financial filing, Greenpeace USA reported having cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 million and total assets of $23 million as of December 31, 2024. The organization stated it does not have the money to pay the judgment or continue normal operations if enforced.

In a financial filing, Greenpeace USA reported having cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 million and total assets of $23 million as of December 31, 2024. The organization stated it does not have the money to pay the judgment or continue normal operations if enforced.

Judge Gion filed court papers on February 24, 2026, stating he would sign an order requiring Greenpeace entities to pay the judgment to Energy Transfer. This action is expected to launch an appeal process in the North Dakota Supreme Court from both sides.

Greenpeace

Judge Gion filed court papers on February 24, 2026, stating he would sign an order requiring Greenpeace entities to pay the judgment to Energy Transfer. This action is expected to launch an appeal process in the North Dakota Supreme Court from both sides.

Greenpeace orchestrated violent attacks on pipeline workers and equipment, trespassed on private property, and spread deliberate lies about indigenous burial sites to fundraise millions while leaving North Dakota communities terrorized and buried under 830 dumpsters of abandoned trash. This wasn't peaceful protest but criminal mayhem designed to inflict maximum financial damage on a lawfully permitted project that carefully avoided tribal lands and historic sites.

Greenpeace orchestrated violent attacks on pipeline workers and equipment, trespassed on private property, and spread deliberate lies about indigenous burial sites to fundraise millions while leaving North Dakota communities terrorized and buried under 830 dumpsters of abandoned trash. This wasn't peaceful protest but criminal mayhem designed to inflict maximum financial damage on a lawfully permitted project that carefully avoided tribal lands and historic sites.

A fossil fuel billionaire who bankrolls Trump is weaponizing the courts to silence environmental advocacy and chill free speech rights. This meritless lawsuit seeks to hold peaceful protesters financially responsible for others' actions, setting a dangerous precedent that threatens the fundamental right to dissent against corporate environmental harm.

A fossil fuel billionaire who bankrolls Trump is weaponizing the courts to silence environmental advocacy and chill free speech rights. This meritless lawsuit seeks to hold peaceful protesters financially responsible for others' actions, setting a dangerous precedent that threatens the fundamental right to dissent against corporate environmental harm.

Climate Change

Greenpeace Ordered to Pay $345M Over Pipeline Protests

United States of America

Environment/energy

Lawsuits

During the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, Greenpeace orchestrated a deplorable campaign against Energy Transfer that involved violent attacks on staff and equipment, trespassing on private property and defamatory propaganda. This disorder wasn't a peaceful protest but criminal mayhem designed to inflict maximum financial damage on a lawfully permitted project.

During the Dakota Access Pipeline protests, Greenpeace orchestrated a deplorable campaign against Energy Transfer that involved violent attacks on staff and equipment, trespassing on private property and defamatory propaganda. This disorder wasn't a peaceful protest but criminal mayhem designed to inflict maximum financial damage on a lawfully permitted project.

Energy Transfer's meritless lawsuit is a blatant attempt to weaponize the courts into silencing environmental advocacy and dissent. In doing so, the company poses a direct threat to free speech by holding peaceful protestors responsible for the actions of others, setting a dangerous precedent that undermines the fundamental right to protest corporate harm.

Energy Transfer's meritless lawsuit is a blatant attempt to weaponize the courts into silencing environmental advocacy and dissent. In doing so, the company poses a direct threat to free speech by holding peaceful protestors responsible for the actions of others, setting a dangerous precedent that undermines the fundamental right to protest corporate harm.

Greenpeace Ordered to Pay $345M Over Pipeline Protests

Greenpeace Ordered to Pay $345M Over Pipeline Protests

The Spin

The Controversies

Trump

Michaels

Harris

Sunak

Francis

Biden

Macron

Thunberg

Merkel

Attenborough

Guterres

Mann

Go Deeper

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Greenpeace Ordered to Pay $345M Over Pipeline Protests

Greenpeace Ordered to Pay $345M Over Pipeline Protests

The Spin

The Controversies

Trump

Michaels

Harris

Sunak

Francis

Biden

Macron

Thunberg

Merkel

Attenborough

Guterres

Mann

Go Deeper

Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free NewslettersSign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters