Signal Dutch court grants standing in climate lawsuit against ING bank

Summary

The Amsterdam District Court ruled on September 10, 2026, that environmental group Milieudefensie has legal standing to proceed with its climate lawsuit against Dutch bank ING, rejecting all of ING's arguments for dismissal. ING had claimed Milieudefensie misrepresented its supporters by implying the bank itself emits CO2 rather than its clients; the court found Milieudefensie had made clear on its website that the case concerns emissions financed by ING's activities. The court also found Milieudefensie adequately represents its supporters' climate interests, noting the group received nearly 30,000 messages of support for the case. Milieudefensie is seeking a court order requiring ING to halve the emissions it finances by 2030 compared to 2019 levels and to stop financing fossil fuel companies that are expanding extraction. The ruling clears a procedural hurdle for one of the most closely watched financed-emissions lawsuits in Europe.