AGL takes Greenpeace to court over climate campaign

Coal industry giant AGL attempts to silence Greenpeace for exposing its devastating ongoing damage to the environment and human health.

ENERGY GIANT AGL has launched legal action against environmental advocacy organisation Greenpeace Australia Pacific, following the launch of a Greenpeace campaign alleging AGL is Australia's biggest corporate climate polluter.

Late in the evening on 6 May 2021, AGL's legal team, Ashurst Australia, served Greenpeace Australia Pacific with an application for an urgent interlocutory injunction, demanding that the charity remove any identifying AGL logos from its campaign.

On Friday, 7 May, the application was heard in the Federal Court of Australia. The judge denied AGL's request to grant the injunction. The matter is expected to appear back in court next week.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific senior campaigner Glenn Walker told IA that Greenpeace was gearing up to meet AGL's legal challenge:

Greenpeace Australia Pacific's general counsel Katrina Bullock said:

AGL is leading the way in harmful coal pollution

With sinking coal profits and a position as one of Australia's leading polluters, energy giant AGL is rethinking its business strategy.

The Greenpeace Australia Pacific campaign, which launched nationally on 5 May, saw the release of a report, 'Coal-faced: Exposing AGL as Australia's biggest climate polluter'. The report covers AGL's track record on carbon pollution, particulate air pollution and environmental standards breaches. The report was accompanied by a digital advertising campaign and dedicated website, australiasgreatestliability.com.

Glenn Walker added:

The Honourable Justice Burley has listed the matter for directions at 10 am on Tuesday, 11 May 2021.

IA will be bringing you more on this important developing story as it unfolds.

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