The EU Green Deal is not just policy, it’s a lifeline As climate catastrophes multiply, we cannot weaken rules for companies to reduce emissions. Accountability & ambition must guide Europe’s just transition. We are saying it loud: from Maastricht to Brussels from 21-23 Sept #BackToTheFuture march

When states act in the public interest, the rich and powerful can sue them in VIP courts to protect their profits. 😱 That system is called the Investor-State Dispute Settlement - and it must be dismantled.🚨 Together with 5 partners, we've published 10 recent cases of ISDS: 10isdsstories.org

Reparations for the climate crisis, slavery, or any harms caused by unjust systems, can't just be compensation and quick fixes. They're about changing the system. And they're our chance to build a new and more just world. ✊ Read more from @meghnaabraham.bsky.social 👇 www.somo.nl/reparations-...

We’re hiring an Executive Assistant 📢 🗓️32 hours /week (Mon–Thu) 📍Amsterdam (hydrid) If you thrive in a dynamic environment and enjoy making things run smoothly behind the scenes, this could be the right fit for you. Apply by 30 September👇 www.somo.nl/executive-as...

It's coming!! The #BackToTheFuture march 🥾💪 Let’s get together to demand - Accountability for human rights violations and pollution - Protection for communities from corporate harm We're ready to pound the pavement, fly our flags and sing out loud. Will you come along? backtothefuturemarch.org

It’s high time to reverse Big Tech control over digital markets 🚨 Activists, academics, and journalists can closely monitor how Big Tech acquires and entrenches its dominance constantly using our free M&A Tracker. You can get started and search for a company at www.somo.nl/big-tech-mer....

Big win 🥳 | PFZW, one of the largest Dutch pension funds, has pulled €14 billion from BlackRock. This follows consistent campaigning from groups like Fossielvrij NL, urging them to sever links with BlackRock over its failure on climate action.

An easy way to stay on top of corporate power issues 👇 From corporate accountability to climate justice and human rights due diligence, we bring you our latest straight into your inbox, every two weeks, in English or in Dutch. No fluff, just the facts that matter. 📩 Sign up at lnkd.in/e6GMkzQz

We strongly condemn the US sanctions against Palestinian human rights organisations: ‎Al-Haq‎, Al Mezan, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. Our Palestinian partner organisations are targeted because of their key role in accountability efforts, including at the ICC.

✊ Indigenous Peoples are seeking justice after Pluspetrol's pollution of the Peruvian Amazon. The OECD Dutch NCP has just confirmed that the company failed on: ❌ environmental protection ❌ respect for indigenous rights ❌ right to health ❌ transparency ❌ tax obligations www.somo.nl/pluspetrol-f...

We will be back in court tomorrow demanding an end to the Dutch state’s role in enabling Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and its unlawful military occupation and colonisation of Palestinian land. Follow the appeal hearing on Wednesday 3 September, 10AM CEST ➡️ streams.nfgd.nl/hoger-beroep...

This Friday in Amsterdam 📢 Public debate on the landmark case against Pluspetrol, who has polluted the Peruvian Amazon for decades, devastating Indigenous communities. The Dutch OECD National Contact Point will publish its verdict on 3 September. Register for free👇

2️⃣ years. 3️⃣5️⃣0️⃣investigations. 9️⃣0️⃣countries. We are so delighted to see the number of people using The Counter, SOMO’s free global helpdesk for environmental and social justice activists 🤩 This dream wouldn’t be possible without the support of Dutch Postcode Loterij 🎊 Want to submit a request? ⬇️

It's time to face the hard truth: while we, civil society, call for change, often our calls are for incremental tweaks to the system, which can actually reinforce it. And make us, at times, part of the problem. But we can do more, and better. Full piece: www.somo.nl/if-we-want-r...

New research | 4 largest US asset managers, like BlackRock and Vanguard, now manage 1/8th of all Dutch listed companies. That’s over 10 times more than the five largest Dutch asset managers. They are much less likely to vote in favour of climate resolutions compared to Dutch asset managers.

🚨 Norwegian broadcaster NRK exposes Telenor’s complicity with Myanmar’s junta. After the 2021 coup, Telenor repeatedly handed sensitive user data to the military, endangering 18M people, incl. activists & human rights defenders. Learn more about the case & read NRK's piece ⤵️ bit.ly/4lznita

Hear Lydia de Leeuw and Aintzane Márquez from @somoamsterdam.bsky.social discuss the human and environmental impacts of unbridled corporate power at our Social Data School public event. 🗓️ Tuesday 9 September, 17:30 (BST) 📍 Alison Richard Building, Sidgwick Site 🔗 www.cdh.cam.ac.uk/events/40071/

Behind the grim reality of EU’s green transition → InvestEU ← InvestEU uses public money and debt to guarantee profits for investors, claiming to unlock billions for the green transition. But it is an illusion of climate action. Read our full analysis ➡️ www.somo.nl/behind-investeus-trojan-logic/

Protesting a genocide isn't terrorism! ❌ The Dutch government has submitted a draft bill that would make “glorifying terrorism and publicly expressing support for terrorist organisations” a criminal offence. The proposed law actually poses a threat to people committed to peace and justice.

The Netherlands halt 3 arms export licences to Israel, admitting “risk of undesirable end use.” That’s code for war crimes. But 7 licences remain. Dog exports continue. So does trade with Israeli settlements. We are in court on 3️⃣Sep to break the full chain. No more weapons, dog exports or deals.

🎙️“It's on full display how companies are designing the destruction of a people.” In a new episode of Art of Citizenry, SOMO's @lydiadeleeuw.bsky.social joins @manpreetkalra.bsky.social to unpack the new report on Gaza by @franceskalbs.bsky.social. Listen now ⤵️ artofcitizenry.com/podcast/geno...

📽️ Watch how Shell and ExxonMobil are suing the Dutch government for shutting down a harmful gas field in Groningen 👇 More information ➡️ www.somo.nl/aftershock-i...

Big wins for climate justice ✊🌍🎉 In a landmark move last week, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirmed what frontline communities have long been demanding: ✔️ A clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a human right. ✔️ States must limit emissions to stay within the 1.5°C pathway.

The Tel Aviv stock exchange has surged 179% since the start of Israel’s military assault on Gaza. I spoke with Lydia de Leeuw @somoamsterdam.bsky.social on the corporate architecture that sustains and profits from occupation. 🎧Tune in: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/g...

⚠️ The Dutch state is deeply embedded in the machinery that enables Israel’s genocide in Gaza, from exporting weapons & attack dogs to financing occupation. On 3 Sept, the Dutch Court of Appeal will hear our case demanding an end to Dutch material support to Israel’s atrocities. 📖 bit.ly/4l51wNX

Yesterday, UN Antonio Guterres called for “just & equitable” mineral supply chains & a fair energy transition. Here’s the issue: It’s not a transition but an expansion. Renewables aren’t replacing fossil fuels. They're stacked on top. Real just transition 🟰 equity, accountability & reduced demand

No intimidation of human rights defenders 🚨✊ A few weeks ago, we celebrated a landmark legal victory in Brazil: the Maranhão Court of Justice suspended a #carbonoffset project imposed without the Free, Prior and Informed Consent of the Ka’apor people. But today, we must raise the alarm. (thread)

In Nederland gevestigde bedrijven hebben in 2023 bijna 50 miljard euro in Israël geïnvesteerd. Nederland kan dus behoorlijke economische druk uitoefenen op Israël – als dat het wíl. https://rightsforum.org/geen-land-investeert-meer-in-israel-dan-nederland

The EU is fueling Israel's genocide and occupation in Palestine🚨 As EU foreign ministers meet to decide on sanctions against Israel, our new analysis reveals that the EU is pumping billions of euros into Israel’s economy. 🔴 It's time to stop business as usual. www.somo.nl/economic-san...

🚨 SOMO stands with UN Rapporteur @franceskalbs.bsky.social following US sanctions aimed at silencing her work. An attack on her is an attack on international rule of law. States must act with: - sanctions - arms embargo - corporate accountability No business as usual during genocide! #Palestine

2024 saw the relentless rise of far-right, racist agendas and the failure of corporate and political elites to take real climate action. So we kept rising against the tide 🌊 Swipe for some of our highlights and see everything we achieved at: somo2024.jaarverslag.org

Can genAI start-ups really challenge #BigTech's dominance? 🧐 🔎 We analysed 12 start-ups' value chains and what we found is clear: They're highly dependent on Big Tech companies, particularly Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Nvidia. Read our full analysis: www.somo.nl/the-real-win...

Many corporations are profiting from Israel's crimes in Palestine 🚨 New report by UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese exposes corporate complicity and draws a clear pathway for ending it. Here's our response to the report: www.somo.nl/new-un-repor...

🔴 The EU’s updated Climate Law falls short of delivering the real solutions needed to reach real zero. The new proposal rely on international carbon offsets and #CDR — approaches that undermine climate ambition and delay real emission cuts. Read more 👇 www.realzeroeurope.org/resources/pr...

Shell and ExxonMobil are suing the Dutch government for shutting down the Groningen gas field. They want billions to compensate for their lost profits. They want the public money that should be used to repair the damage they have caused. The ISDS system needs to end: www.somo.nl/aftershock-i...

Investor-State Dispute Settlement lets companies run away from the harm they cause and blocks a just fossil fuels phase-out. ⛔️ It allows foreign investors to sue governments when their actions are alleged to harm their investment. Here's a stark example of why governments must dismantle it: 🧵👇

Communities are increasingly taking companies to court for human rights abuses linked to renewable supply chains. 🙌 Highly recommended read! SOMO is glad to have contributed, alongside other members of the Just Transition Litigation Coalition. Have a read! ⤵️

What are the responsibilities of corporations in the case of #Palestine?
 Learn more from an expert panel this Wednesday 2 July ⤵️ 📍Online, RSVP: bit.ly/44oZOAJ ⏰ 15:30 CET 👥 @taravanho.bsky.social @shahdhm.bsky.social @gamzeerdemturkelli.bsky.social @alhaq.bsky.social @chiaramacchi.bsky.social

🔴 OUT NOW 📢 69 NGOs call on the EU to deliver a Climate Law that rejects international carbon offsetting & Carbon Dioxide Removals (#CDR), commits to a full fossil fuel phase-out, and reflects Europe’s fair share of climate responsibility! Read the statement👇 www.realzeroeurope.org/resources/st...

🇪🇺🚗 The EU car industry is NOT in crisis. It’s profitable, powerful, and using its influence to delay climate action. Our new research reveals how the interests of the car industry have steered EU policy to put profits before people and the planet. Read our analysis: www.somo.nl/manufactured...

🚩 After years of dialogue with the Indigenous Ngäbe communities, banks FMO and DEG have finally recognised the suffering caused by the Barro Blanco hydropower dam in Panama. SOMO and @bothends.bsky.social welcome the agreement signed by the communities and the banks. Full statement: bit.ly/406lY9F

The outcome document for the UN FfD4 conference could have laid the foundations for real debt justice. But in true neocolonial fashion, Global North countries are blocking real action. This is unacceptable. We need a radical change in the global financial system. 🚨 Read more ➡️ bitl.to/4iST

Meta wants to acquire Scale AI. ⚠️ But that could mean: ❌ More workers’ exploitation ❌ Unfair competition ❌ Access to sensitive data For the sake of fair competition and the rights of thousands of data workers, competition authorities must BLOCK the deal ⛔ www.somo.nl/the-next-big...

🔔 Reminder sent 🔔 60 organisations have sent a timely reminder to EU Climate Commissioner wopkehoekstra.ec.europa.eu calling on him to protect UN climate talks from fossil fuel industry influence at Bonn #SB62 💌: fossilfreepolitics.org/news/reminde... #FossilFreePolitics #PollutersOut 🧵/1

Can mineral producers capture more value from the energy transition? Explore trade rules, policy & demand shaping their options with NRGI, @iied.bsky.social, @economies.iisd.org, @somoamsterdam.bsky.social & LPEM Indonesia at #LCAW2025 🗓️ 24 Jun | 11AM BST 🔗 resourcegovernance.org/events/beyon...

🔔 Reminder sent 🔔 60 organisations have sent a timely reminder to EU Climate Commissioner @wopkehoekstra.ec.europa.eu calling on him to protect UN climate talks from fossil fuel industry influence at Bonn #SB62. 💌: fossilfreepolitics.org/news/reminde... #FossilFreePolitics #PollutersOut

Major win for Indigenous rights & climate justice! In a landmark ruling, a Brazilian federal court halted a carbon offset project on the Ka’apor Indigenous land because it lacked FPIC. ✊ Climate justice is not possible without Indigenous rights! Read full story: www.somo.nl/a-major-lega...

📺Tonight on @nieuwsuur.nl: The Israeli military systematically uses dogs to brutalise Palestinians. How is the Netherlands involved? 🚩 SOMO's @lydiadeleeuw.bsky.social discusses our investigation on this and the legal case against the Dutch government. Full piece (in Dutch): nos.nl/nieuwsuur/ar...

🔥 Great news from Germany 🔥 After a 3 year long investigation, the Bundeskartellamt has preliminarily found that Amazon's non-transparent price controls of independent sellers in it's platform is abusive and likely leading to higher prices for consumers. www.bundeskartellamt.de/SharedDocs/M...

As an Amazon seller told @somoamsterdam.bsky.social “Amazon is no friend of the small business" In fact, online sellers are locked-in to the platform and vulnerable to abuses. This includes its automated price controls. Read more about it here - www.somo.nl/amazons-euro...