In what has proven to be an unusual case, a Dutch court has ruled that the Government in the Netherlands must cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25% by 2020. Based on current policy, the court said that the Netherlands would only achieve a maximum 17% reduction by that time. However, this new ruling ensures that emissions cuts have to be higher.
The lawsuit was brought under human rights laws by Urgenda - a sustainability foundation - which argued that the Netherlands had a duty of care to its citizens and to improve the environment. It seems that the court agreed.
As part of their argument, they said without action, we would see extreme weather, shrinking ice caps and shortages of food and water. In addition, large parts of the Netherlands actually lie below sea level, meaning any future sea rise could potentially be catastrophic.
Jasper Teulings from Greenpeace said of the case, "It shifts the whole debate. Other cases are being brought in Belgium and the Philippines. This is the start of a wave of climate litigation." It is hoped that this ruling will set a precedent for other countries.
