Urgenda returns to court in climate case, now demands periodic state fine

Urgenda had previously threatened to go to court again if the cabinet did not quickly announce how it would achieve the climate goals. At the time, at the beginning of May, Minisma said the chance was “too big” that the Netherlands would not achieve the goals and that the moment the climate organization would demand a fine was approaching.

Outgoing Prime Minister Ruti and climate activist has been quite against the topic for years. In the middle of this month, they seemed to agree on an ambitious climate plan in Minesma, about which Rota and Foreign Minister Yeseljuz were positive. With this plan, Urgenda’s director wants to take major steps toward a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within ten years.

‘Disappointing that Urgenda does not wait’

In his response, Yesilguz says that the Cabinet has taken important measures and announced new measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. She also says that she spoke to Minisma several times with Root. She described it as “disappointing that Urgenda will go to court and not wait for proceedings.”

“I told the House last Friday that in the coming weeks, the Cabinet will assess the measures needed to keep the agreed-upon 49 percent reduction in 2030 in sight. Given the state of the Cabinet’s conduct of business, how this is being factored into the process is being examined. decision making in August. Says Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Climate Yesilgoz.

human rights

The lawsuit against which a penalty will be imposed is not the only move Urgenda is now announcing. Menesma is also considering turning to the European Court of Human Rights, because the state does not respect human rights by failing to do so.

She called this step painful for Root, because he accuses, for example, Hungarian Prime Minister Orban of violating human rights. According to Urgenda, this puts the Netherlands in “a row with Russia and other countries that do not respect human rights.”

The organization also warned Rota of the possibility of starting a new lawsuit over the achievement of the 2030 climate goals. Minesma noted that cases related to the 2030 climate goals have also been won in France and Germany. There, the judge ruled that the human rights of young people were being violated due to the state’s inaction.