By: Loes van Dijk, Climate Court, 13 Feb 2025

Greenpeace has issued a legal warning to the Dutch law firm Loyens & Loeff over its involvement in the restructuring of JBS, the world’s largest meat producer. The environmental organisation argues that the firm’s role in assisting JBS with its corporate relocation to the Netherlands ahead of a potential New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing could violate Dutch laws, particularly those related to financial due diligence and anti-money laundering. Greenpeace has formally reported the matter to the Bureau Financieel Toezicht (BFT), urging an investigation into whether Loyens & Loeff is enabling harmful corporate practices.

JBS has a long history of environmental violations, including deforestation, land grabs, and corruption, making its NYSE listing a highly controversial issue. In response to the company’s plans, civil society organisations from Europe, Brazil, and the U.S. have warned investors about the risks associated with supporting JBS. Additionally, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators and investors managing over $22 billion have called on the SEC to block the listing, citing governance failures and legal liabilities, which have nearly doubled to $3.6 billion in 2024.

This case also highlights the growing focus on ‘facilitated emissions,’ a legal concept that examines the role of financial and legal institutions in enabling high-carbon industries. As climate litigation evolves, law firms may face increasing scrutiny for their involvement in corporate activities that contribute to environmental harm. The Greenpeace warning signals a broader shift toward holding not just corporations but also their advisors accountable for their role in climate-related legal and ethical concerns.

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