Belgian state sued over climate policy shortcomings

(EurActiv, 26 Sep 2023) The non-profit group ‘Affaire Climat’ and over 70,000 citizens again called on the courts to impose binding emissions reductions on the Belgian government after the last ruling to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was largely ignored by the state.

In June 2021, the Brussels Court of First Instance condemned the federal government and the three regions for their inadequate climate policies.

After six years of proceedings, the court found that Belgium’s climate policies were largely insufficient and did not respect “the duty of care required of a State and therefore infringe the fundamental rights of the plaintiffs“.

In particular, the plaintiffs called for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on Belgian territory of at least 42% to 48% by 2025 and at least 55% to 65% by 2030, in each case about the 1990 reference year. In addition, the charity had requested a penalty payment of €1 million for each month of delay in complying with the ruling.

Although the judges ruled in favour of Affaire Climat, the non-profit group has since denounced the lack of action taken by the State. Through this legal action, they wish to force the State and the three Regions to respect their commitments regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction, on pain of penalty payments, reports Le Soir.

External link

EurActiv, 26 Sep 2023: Belgian state sued over climate policy shortcomings

More Related News

climate and environmental litigation

9 Nov 2023: Shell sues Greenpeace for $2.1m in damages over fossil fuel protest in North Sea

27 Oct 2023: Stop locking young people out of legal process in climate cases, say experts

10 Oct 2023: Why money matters when taking climate change to court

28 Sep 2023: Lawsuit in EU court by young Portuguese, largest climate case ever

25 Sep 2023: Why Portuguese youth are suing European countries over wildfires

14 Sep 2023: Young people to take 32 European countries to court over climate policies

12 Sep 2023: Small islands slam ‘endless’ climate talks at landmark maritime court hearing

1 Sep 2023: The people of Ecuador just made climate justice history. The world can follow

22 Aug 2023: Q&A: A legal scholar calls the ruling in the Montana youth climate lawsuit ‘huge’

3 Jul 2023: In a Montana courtroom, debate over whether states can make a difference on climate change, and if they have a responsibility to try

30 Jun 2023: Spain proposes improved 2030 climate target as it awaits Supreme Court ruling