Victory for the Climate

Today, a Dutch Court of Appeal ruled that the Dutch government must do more to protect the climate. The Court, finding in favor of the Dutch NGO Urgenda, recognized the “grave danger” of climate change and called for the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to at least 25% lower than 1990 levels, by 2020.
 
This victory follows yesterday’s release of a UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report with the sternest warnings yet about the terrifying threats posed by global climate change.
 
The Court ruled that the Netherlands is breaching its duty of care by “failing to pursue a more ambitious reduction” of greenhouse gas emissions and agreed with the lower court’s ruling that the State must reduce its emissions.   
 
ELAW celebrates the work of Urgenda. The decision will strengthen cases brought by ELAW partners around the world who are working to protect the climate through law.
 
For more information, see:
 
Washington Post, October 9, 2018
Europe’s courts are holding governments to account for climate change
 
The Guardian, October 9, 2018
Dutch appeals court upholds landmark climate change ruling
 
ELAW Climate Litigation Strategies
 
Thank you for your interest!
 
Bern Johnson
Executive Director

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