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Climate change: Is the Dutch court ruling 'a game changer'? | Climate change: Is the Dutch court ruling 'a game changer'? |
(about 17 hours later) | |
It reads like the script of a movie. Climate change campaigners go to court to force their government to take tougher action on greenhouse gas emissions. | It reads like the script of a movie. Climate change campaigners go to court to force their government to take tougher action on greenhouse gas emissions. |
But it became reality in a Dutch court on Wednesday, when a judge ruled that The Netherlands must do more to combat the threat of climate change. | But it became reality in a Dutch court on Wednesday, when a judge ruled that The Netherlands must do more to combat the threat of climate change. |
As a low-lying country, the country is particularly vulnerable to flooding with around half of its territory - where much of its population lives - below sea level. | As a low-lying country, the country is particularly vulnerable to flooding with around half of its territory - where much of its population lives - below sea level. |
An effort is underway to upgrade the thousands of miles of dykes and dams that act as flood defences. | An effort is underway to upgrade the thousands of miles of dykes and dams that act as flood defences. |
As the planet warms, scientists say these will no longer be able to hold up against rising sea levels. | As the planet warms, scientists say these will no longer be able to hold up against rising sea levels. |
And campaigners Urgenda, who brought the case, accuse the government of putting too much emphasis on mitigation rather than meeting international obligations to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. | And campaigners Urgenda, who brought the case, accuse the government of putting too much emphasis on mitigation rather than meeting international obligations to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. |
The court said that the Dutch Government's current plan to reduce emissions by 17% by 2020 was less than the 25-40% international norm for industrialised nations. | The court said that the Dutch Government's current plan to reduce emissions by 17% by 2020 was less than the 25-40% international norm for industrialised nations. |
Under the ruling, The Netherlands has to cut emissions by at least a quarter on 1990 levels by 2020. | Under the ruling, The Netherlands has to cut emissions by at least a quarter on 1990 levels by 2020. |
The decision is legally binding, but the government has the option to appeal. | The decision is legally binding, but the government has the option to appeal. |
It is expected to debate the issue in parliament after the summer recess. | It is expected to debate the issue in parliament after the summer recess. |
A spokesman for the Dutch environment ministry said it was examining the ruling. | A spokesman for the Dutch environment ministry said it was examining the ruling. |
"We and Urgenda share the same goal," Dutch deputy environment minister Wilma Mansveld added. "We just hold different opinions regarding the manner in which to attain this goal." | "We and Urgenda share the same goal," Dutch deputy environment minister Wilma Mansveld added. "We just hold different opinions regarding the manner in which to attain this goal." |
Way forward | Way forward |
So what are the government's options for slashing greenhouse gas emissions? | So what are the government's options for slashing greenhouse gas emissions? |
Coal, oil and gas still provide much of the country's energy mix, with renewable energy coming mainly from on-shore wind and biofuels. | |
In 2013, renewables supplied about 4% of energy demand, putting The Netherlands behind its neighbours Germany and Denmark, and most other EU member states. | In 2013, renewables supplied about 4% of energy demand, putting The Netherlands behind its neighbours Germany and Denmark, and most other EU member states. |
Dennis van Berkel, of Urgenda, says meeting the new target is "very doable". | Dennis van Berkel, of Urgenda, says meeting the new target is "very doable". |
The pressure group wants a focus on reducing the burning of coal - the "dirtiest" fossil fuel - and measures such as improving energy efficiency in homes. | The pressure group wants a focus on reducing the burning of coal - the "dirtiest" fossil fuel - and measures such as improving energy efficiency in homes. |
"There are a lot of possibilities out there that do not cost a lot," he said. | "There are a lot of possibilities out there that do not cost a lot," he said. |
The environmental law group ClientEarth, which recently took legal action against the UK Government over breaches of air pollution, called the ruling "courageous and visionary". | The environmental law group ClientEarth, which recently took legal action against the UK Government over breaches of air pollution, called the ruling "courageous and visionary". |
"The Dutch court's ruling should encourage courts around the world to tackle climate change now," said James Thornton. | "The Dutch court's ruling should encourage courts around the world to tackle climate change now," said James Thornton. |
The case is thought to be the first in Europe in which citizens try to hold a state responsible for lack of action on climate change. | The case is thought to be the first in Europe in which citizens try to hold a state responsible for lack of action on climate change. |
It is also thought to be the first to use human rights legislation as a basis to protect people from climate change, with similar cases being prepared in Belgium, Norway and The Philippines. | It is also thought to be the first to use human rights legislation as a basis to protect people from climate change, with similar cases being prepared in Belgium, Norway and The Philippines. |
Coming in the same month that Pope Francis released an encyclical on the environment, civil society is heaping the pressure on politicians to forge a new deal on climate change at a key UN conference at the end of the year. | Coming in the same month that Pope Francis released an encyclical on the environment, civil society is heaping the pressure on politicians to forge a new deal on climate change at a key UN conference at the end of the year. |
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