Government Faces Second High Court Defeat Over Climate Action Plans
In a significant blow to the government’s environmental policies, the High Court has ruled against it for the second time, citing insufficient efforts to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Environmental activists contended that the government’s climate plan lacked evidence of achievability, prompting the court to demand a revision of the strategy.
Responding to the ruling, a spokesperson from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero defended the UK’s climate efforts but expressed disagreement with the court’s intervention, emphasizing that legal challenges might not be the most effective means to drive progress toward net zero.
Environmental groups including Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth, and The Good Law Project brought the legal challenge, with lead campaigner Tony Bosworth labeling it “an embarrassing day for the government.” He stressed the need for a robust, comprehensive, and equitable climate plan to ensure the fulfillment of climate targets without leaving anyone behind.
The court’s decision follows a similar case in 2022 where the government’s Net Zero Plan was deemed insufficiently detailed. Despite subsequent revisions, concerns persisted regarding the achievability of proposed policies, leading to the current ruling.
The judgement highlighted the lack of clarity regarding which policies would be fully implemented, prompting the court to demand a thorough review and revision of the plan.
The ruling elicited various responses, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressing pride in the government’s climate track record, while Labour’s Ed Miliband criticized the administration’s failure in energy and climate policies.
Criticism also stemmed from the government’s support for new fossil fuel projects, notably the announcement of 100 new North Sea oil and gas licenses in July 2023. Such moves conflict with global calls to shift away from fossil fuels to combat climate change.
Despite mounting pressure, including warnings from its own climate watchdog, the UK government continues to face scrutiny over its climate plans, which fall short of the ambitious targets set to tackle the climate crisis.