Norwegian Climate Network and Concerned Scientists Norway filed a complaint alleging that Statoil ASA was in breach of the OECD guidelines owing to its investment in the oil sands in Alberta. The complaint alleged that this contributed to the violation of international obligations undertaken by Canada to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2012. It was asserted that the oil sands in Canada must not be exploited in an effort to achieve climate stability. Statoil responded that it was outside the mandate of the NCP to determine the legal compliance of Canada. The NCP rejected the case in its initial assessment, but highlighted the risk posed by oil sands operation to the climate and the environment.

Key environmental legal questions:

Effect of Statoil’s investment in oil sands project in maintaining climate stability