The Hague District Court has ruled yesterday that the State must take more action to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands.
According to the ruling, the State has to undertake measures which will lead to Dutch emissions in the year 2020 to be at least 25% lower than those in 1990, compared to current predictions of 17% which is below the norm of 25% to 40% for developed countries deemed necessary in climate science and international climate policy.
Wendel Trio, director of Climate Action Network Europe , said: “The verdict is a milestone in the history of climate legislation, because it is the first time that a government was ordered to raise its climate ambition by a court.”
“We hope this kind of legal action will be replicated in Europe and around the world.”
“This makes it crystal clear that climate change is a huge problem that needs to be dealt with much more effectively, and that states can no longer afford inaction. States are meant to protect their citizens, and if politicians will not do this of their own accord, then the courts are there to help,” said Marjan Minnesma, the director of Urgenda , a citizens’ platform which instituted the legal proceedings.
“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,” said The Netherlands Judiciary in a press release.