After repeated losses in climate courtrooms, the same NGOs leading the legal crusade against the oil and gas industry has a new target: plastics manufacturers. The latest campaign was on full display at this year’s Climate Week in New York City, where government officials and activists made clear they’re shifting focus to another key part of the U.S. economy. 

Most notably, California Attorney General Rob Bonta summed up the climate week mood by threatening more lawsuits:  

“Each and every time they violate the law, they hurt my state, my people, we will sue them, we will take them to court. So far that’s meant more than one a week. We definitely have more lawsuits planned.” 

Petrochemicals play an essential role in everyday consumer products while also supporting critical industries such as healthcare, packaging, automotive, and manufacturing. To keep pace with rising global demand, the global plastics market is expected to expand significantly, with the overall plastics market projected to grow from $533.59 billion in 2025 to $754.23 billion by 2032. Additionally, the U.S. plastics industry is one of the nation’s most powerful economic engines generating $1.1 trillion in economic output.  

Yet instead of working with industry to promote advanced recycling and circularity, activists have decided to once again ignore consumer concerns and economic feasibility in favor of courtroom theatrics. 

Since many of the oil and gas companies targeted by climate activists are also involved in the petrochemicals industry, it’s not a huge surprise to see the same coordinated, billionaire funded attacks take shape against another key component of the U.S. economy. What’s particularly notable is the overlap of the same funders, policymakers and recycled arguments against the industry as multiple climate lawsuits continue to be dismissed. 

Read the full post at EIDClimate.org.