24 June 2015
Court formulates concrete obligation for the Netherlands to further limit greenhouse gas emissions
Today, the Hague District Court ordered the Dutch State to take more action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands. In its judgment the District Court formulated a concrete obligation: the State has to ensure that Dutch emissions in the year 2020 will be at least 25 per cent lower than emissions in 1990. Current Dutch policy aims for a reduction of 17 per cent at most in 2020. As this is below the norm of 25 to 40 per cent for developed countries that is deemed necessary to have a real chance at preventing dangerous climate change, the Urgenda Foundation and 886 individuals had requested the court for a ruling.
The District Court considered that the Netherlands cannot hide behind the fact that collective action is needed for a solution to the global problem of dangerous climate change. Even though a solution to this global problem does not depend solely on Dutch efforts, any reduction of emissions is a contribution to the solution. The District Court considered that as a developed country the Netherlands should take the lead in the prevention of dangerous climate change.