Supreme Court to Hear Oil Companies' Appeal on Climate Lawsuits

Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy seek to block dozens of city and state suits over climate change.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by Exxon Mobil Corp. and Suncor Energy Inc. in an industry effort to stop dozens of city and state lawsuits that blame oil companies for climate change. The justices will review a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that said the city and county of Boulder could use state law to press a climate-related lawsuit against the oil companies.

Why it matters

This case could have far-reaching implications for the oil industry's legal battles over climate change. A ruling in favor of the oil companies could make it much harder for local governments to sue them over climate impacts, while a ruling against the industry could open the floodgates for more climate-related lawsuits.

The details

The oil companies are arguing that the lawsuits should be handled at the federal level, not in state courts. They claim the suits are an attempt to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, which they say is the responsibility of the federal government, not state or local authorities.

  • The Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal on February 23, 2026.

The players

Exxon Mobil Corp.

A major American oil and gas corporation that is one of the defendants in the climate change lawsuits.

Suncor Energy Inc.

A Canadian energy company that is also a defendant in the climate change lawsuits.

Boulder, Colorado

A city and county in Colorado that is suing the oil companies over climate change impacts using state law.

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What’s next

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case and issue a ruling at a later date.

The takeaway

This case represents a high-stakes legal battle between the oil industry and local governments over who should be held accountable for the impacts of climate change. The Supreme Court's decision could have major implications for future climate-related lawsuits.