Climate campaigners have filed a lawsuit against the European Commission, challenging its 2030 emissions targets as insufficient to meet global climate goals. The case, brought before the General Court of the European Union, could push the EU to adopt stricter climate policies in response to demands for more ambitious targets.
Environmental campaigners have taken legal action against the European Commission, challenging its 2030 emissions-cutting rules. The lawsuit, filed by the non-profit organizations Climate Action Network and the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN), argues that the current regulations fall short of the Paris Agreement’s climate targets. The case was lodged with the General Court of the European Union on February 23, 2024, and seeks to compel the EU to adopt more stringent climate policies.
Details of the Lawsuit
The climate campaigners contend that the European Commission’s 2030 climate strategy, which aims to cut the EU’s net emissions by 55% compared to 1990 levels, is inadequate. According to the lawsuit, the national emissions limits for sectors such as transport and agriculture are not aligned with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Gerry Liston, a lawyer with GLAN, criticized the EU’s targets, stating that they were not derived from the best available climate science.
The European Commission’s defense, submitted in July 2024, argues that the claims are inadmissible. The current regulations require EU member states to reduce emissions in specific sectors by 10% to 50% from 2005 levels by 2030. In contrast, the power generation and industry sectors are expected to achieve over a 60% reduction. The campaigners argue that these targets are not ambitious enough, particularly for wealthy regions like the EU, which have historically been major polluters.
The General Court has granted priority status to the case, which could lead to a hearing as early as 2025. This expedited status highlights the urgency of the issue and reflects increasing pressure on the EU to strengthen its climate policies. The lawsuit was initially filed in February but was only recently made public.
Potential Implications
If successful, the lawsuit could force the European Union to revise its climate strategy, potentially leading to more aggressive measures to combat global warming. The European Commission has not yet commented on the ongoing legal proceedings, and the court has not provided further details on the prioritization of this case.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the EU’s approach to climate policy and its commitment to global climate goals. As the legal process unfolds, all eyes will be on the General Court of the European Union and the European Commission’s response to the campaigners’ demands.
