Exxon Mobil Corp has filed a lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and environmental groups, accusing them of defaming and disparaging the company’s advanced plastics recycling initiatives.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Beaumont, Texas, reflects Exxon’s increasing efforts to combat environmentalists and critics who have historically sued the company over its alleged involvement in climate change and rising greenhouse gas emissions.
The big picture: The legal action specifically accuses Bonta and the environmental activists of disparaging Exxon’s advanced recycling technology and suggests that Bonta has acted in concert with Australian business rivals of the oil giant.
- Exxon’s advanced recycling technology focuses on using heat to break down difficult-to-recycle plastics to a molecular level, enabling their reuse, in line with the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Driving the news: This lawsuit follows a prior legal battle in which Exxon sued activist investors over a shareholder proposal on climate change.
- Despite the withdrawal of the proposal by the investors, Exxon continued to pursue the lawsuit, prompting concerns that such actions could stifle shareholder-company debates.
- This earlier lawsuit was eventually thrown out by a U.S. judge in June.
Go deeper: The lawsuit refers to statements made by the defendants, emphasizing the alleged false accusations against ExxonMobil, including claims that advanced recycling is a “myth” and a “sham,” rather than acknowledging and supporting the company’s efforts to develop and promote sustainable technology solutions.
