Climate Campaigners Take EU to Court Over 2030 Emissions-Cutting Rules
Source: DairyNews.today
Environmental campaigners have filed a lawsuit against the European Commission, challenging its 2030 emissions-cutting rules, which they argue are insufficient to meet global climate targets. The case, brought before the General Court of the European Union by the non-profit groups Climate Action Network and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), seeks to compel the EU to adopt stricter climate policies.
The campaigners claim that the current national emissions limits for sectors such as transport and agriculture are unlawful, as they do not align with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. "We have outlined how the EU's 2030 targets were not derived fr om best available climate science," said Gerry Liston, a lawyer with GLAN.
The European Commission, in a written defence submitted in July, requested that the court dismiss the claims as inadmissible. The Commission's 2030 climate strategy aims to reduce the EU's net emissions by 55% compared to 1990 levels. However, the campaigners argue that this target is insufficient, particularly for wealthy regions like the EU, which have historically been significant polluters.
Under the current rules, EU member states are required to reduce emissions in specific sectors by 10% to 50% from 2005 levels by 2030. These sectors have less stringent targets compared to power generation and industry, which are expected to cut emissions by over 60% from 2005 levels by the same deadline. Scientists have indicated that global emissions need to halve by 2030 to lim it warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a target that the campaigners believe the EU is not meeting fast enough.
The case has been given priority status by the court, potentially allowing it to be heard as early as 2025. This expedited status underscores the urgency of the issue and reflects the growing pressure on the EU to bolster its climate policies. The lawsuit was initially filed in February but was not made public until now.
The European Commission has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings. The court also did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding why this case has been prioritized over others. If successful, the lawsuit could force the EU to adopt more ambitious climate measures, significantly impacting its approach to tackling global warming.
The European Commission, in a written defence submitted in July, requested that the court dismiss the claims as inadmissible. The Commission's 2030 climate strategy aims to reduce the EU's net emissions by 55% compared to 1990 levels. However, the campaigners argue that this target is insufficient, particularly for wealthy regions like the EU, which have historically been significant polluters.
Under the current rules, EU member states are required to reduce emissions in specific sectors by 10% to 50% from 2005 levels by 2030. These sectors have less stringent targets compared to power generation and industry, which are expected to cut emissions by over 60% from 2005 levels by the same deadline. Scientists have indicated that global emissions need to halve by 2030 to lim it warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a target that the campaigners believe the EU is not meeting fast enough.
The case has been given priority status by the court, potentially allowing it to be heard as early as 2025. This expedited status underscores the urgency of the issue and reflects the growing pressure on the EU to bolster its climate policies. The lawsuit was initially filed in February but was not made public until now.
The European Commission has declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings. The court also did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding why this case has been prioritized over others. If successful, the lawsuit could force the EU to adopt more ambitious climate measures, significantly impacting its approach to tackling global warming.
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