In a case brought by pressure group Urgenda, judges agreed the Dutch government should do more to combat the threat of climate change.
The low-lying country, which is particularly vulnerable to sea level rise, should slash emissions 25% from 1990 levels by 2020 under the ruling.
The state was aiming for 17% and campaigners argued it should be up to 40%, in line with science. Europe-wide, the target is a 20% reduction.
Staten er ansvarlig for at reducere udledninger
The verdict read: “The State must do more to avert the imminent danger caused by climate change, also in view of its duty of care to protect and improve the living environment. The State is responsible for effectively controlling the Dutch emission levels.”
“Moreover, the costs of the measures ordered by the court are not unacceptably high. Therefore, the State should not hide behind the argument that the solution to the global climate problem does not depend solely on Dutch efforts. Any reduction of emissions contributes to the prevention of dangerous climate change and as a developed country the Netherlands should take the lead in this.”
But the judges said they could only recommend a legal protection, not make policy. As a result, they limited their order to a 25% emissions cut, the lower end of the range asked for by Urgenda.
Glæde og kram
Climate campaigners cheered and hugged each other as the verdict was read out at a district court in the Hague on Wednesday morning.
The decision can be appealed but with several political parties supporting stronger climate action, lawyer Dennis van Berkel told RTCC he thought the government would accept the verdict.
Forbereder lignende sager i andre lande
Campaigners are already preparing a similar lawsuit in Belgium and others could follow.
“The legal arguments that we used in the case – and that the court acknowledged exist – are not unique to the Netherlands,” van Berkel said. “All states have this legal obligation.
“Over the last couple of years, we have had a lot of reactions from people who have closely followed the case and are looking to take up this argument in their own countries.”
Læs videre på RTCC: http://www.rtcc.org/2015/06/24/climate-campaigners-win-court-case-against-dutch-government/
