A Dutch appeals court has overturned a landmark ruling that ordered energy company Shell to cut its carbon emissions by net 45% by 2030 compared with 2019 levels, while saying that “protection against dangerous climate change is a human right”.

The decision was a defeat for the Netherlands arm of environmental group Friends of the Earth, which hailed the original 2021 ruling as a victory for the climate.

Tuesday’s civil ruling can be appealed to the Dutch Supreme Court.

The ruling upholding Shell’s appeal came as the 12-day Cop29 UN climate conference was entering its second day in Azerbaijan.

In a written summary of the ruling, the court said Shell has a duty of care to limit its emissions, but it annulled the lower court’s decision because it was “unable to establish that the social standard of care entails an obligation for Shell to reduce its CO2 emissions by 45%, or some other percentage”.

“There is currently insufficient consensus in climate science on a specific reduction percentage to which an individual company like Shell should adhere,” it said.

Presiding Judge Carla Joustra said Shell already has targets for climate-warming carbon emissions that are in line with demands of Friends of the Earth – both for what it directly produces and for emissions produced by energy the company purchases from others.

The court then ruled: “For Shell to reduce CO2 emissions caused by buyers of Shell products … by a particular percentage would be ineffective in this case. Shell could meet that obligation by ceasing to trade in the fuels it purchases from third parties. Other companies would then take over that trade.”

Judge Joustra said: “The court’s final judgment is that Friends of the Earth’s claims cannot be granted. The court therefore annuls the district court’s judgment.”

“This hurts,” said Friends of the Earth director in the Netherlands Donald Pols.

“At the same time, we see that this case has ensured that major polluters are not immune and has further stimulated the debate about their responsibility in combating dangerous climate change. That is why we continue to tackle major polluters, such as Shell.”

Shell welcomed the ruling.

“We are pleased with the court’s decision, which we believe is the right one for the global energy transition, the Netherlands and our company,” chief executive Wael Sawan said in a written statement.

“Our target to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 remains at the heart of Shell’s strategy and is transforming our business.”