A High Court judge in the U.K. ruled that the government’s approval of a plan to meet climate targets lacked evidence of deliverability. The plan aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds of 1990 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. The judge criticized the plan for being vague and lacking necessary details for proper evaluation. This was the second time in two years that the government’s main climate action plan was found to be unlawful and insufficient in meeting legally-binding targets.
Justice Clive Sheldon sided with three environmental groups that brought the case, ruling that the government’s decision to approve its Carbon Budget Delivery Plan last year was “simply not justified by the evidence.” The plan was criticized for being vague and unquantified, providing officials with insufficient information for approval. Lawyers argued that the government failed to share risk tables or information about whether its policies could be implemented, preventing proper scrutiny of the plan. This ruling highlights the need for the government to take credible action to address the climate crisis with a plan that can be trusted to deliver and relied on.
The government defended its record on climate change, stating that it has set out more detail than any other G20 country on how it will reach its ambitious carbon budgets. While the judgment did not criticize the detailed plans in place, the court case focused on the process. The government believes that a court case is not the best way to drive progress towards the shared goal of reaching net zero. Following the judge’s ruling, officials announced that they would publish a new report within 12 months to address the concerns raised.
Last year, the U.K. government’s climate advisers expressed concerns about the country’s decarbonization efforts, stating that they were losing confidence in the government’s ability to meet its emission targets. Officials were also criticized for backtracking on fossil fuel commitments. This ruling emphasizes the importance of having a credible and actionable plan in place to effectively address the climate crisis and meet legally-binding targets. The government must work towards developing a comprehensive strategy that provides necessary details and evidence to ensure that climate targets can be met successfully.
