UK Government's Net Zero Strategy Ruled Inadequate Again
The UK government's strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 has faced another setback as the High Court ruled it falls short of legal requirements for the second time. The court supported challenges alleging insufficient information on the risk of achieving the required emissions reductions, particularly concerning the reliance on future technologies.
Background:
The legal challenge stems from environmental and legal campaign groups' concerns, including Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth, and Good Law Project. It follows the release of the government's Net Zero Strategy in October 2021, aimed at fulfilling its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, as mandated by the revised Climate Change Act in 2019.
Initial Case and Ruling:
In 2022, the organizations contested the strategy's lack of detail on achieving climate targets, especially regarding the quantifiable contributions of outlined policies to meeting carbon budgets. The court ruled in favor of the groups, mandating the government publish a new report by March 2023, outlining proposals and policies for meeting carbon budgets transparently.
Revised Plan and Subsequent Case:
Despite the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan's release in March 2023, concerns persisted. In June 2023, the same groups launched a new case, arguing that the updated strategy failed to address risks associated with its key policies and assumptions about their effectiveness.
Court's Judgment:
The High Court upheld four of the five grounds presented by the organizations. It criticized the government's reliance on high-risk and unproven technologies, citing a mistaken understanding of the factual position in decision-making.
Reaction and Statement:
ClientEarth emphasized the case's basis on the belief that the revised plan lacked legal compliance, relying on uncertain proposals and technologies. Following the ruling, Senior Lawyer Sam Hunter Jones reiterated the courts' message that the government's strategy must not hinge on hope for unproven solutions.
