European governments are categorically failing to enact the deep and urgent emissions cuts required to avert a climate catastrophe. With GLAN's support, a group of Portuguese children & young adults have brought an unprecedented climate change case against 33 countries to the European Court of Human Rights. If successful, these countries would be legally bound to ramp up their emissions but also to tackle their overseas contributions to climate change, including their exports of fossil fuels
Climate change remains the single greatest threat to humanity and the need for a radical transition away from fossil fuels is as urgent as ever. It is still possible for governments to prevent this threat if they commit to a #GreenRecovery from the Covid-19 crisis. But time is quickly running out. And the science is clear: European governments are still not doing enough.
The goal of this case is to seek a legally binding decision from the court requiring governments to take much deeper and immediate cuts to emissions released within their borders but also tackle their contributions to emissions released overseas, for example through their exports of fossil fuels. The Court's decisions have the power to bring about significant changes in the policies of governments. The Court has already fast-tracked their case and demanded that all 33 countries respond.
We seek a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that States are required by the Convention to adopt emissions cuts that are collectively consistent with the 1.5C target. A decision of this kind would then greatly enhance the prospect of domestic courts in Europe forcing their Governments to take such measures.
