Six young activists from Portugal have filed a historic climate change challenge against 32 European governments, alleging insufficient action and violation of fundamental rights. Represented by the British Global Legal Action Network, this landmark case at the European Court of Human Rights could compel governments to set carbon emission reduction targets through national courts. The surge in climate change litigation, from 884 cases in 2017 to 2,180 in 2022, signifies a growing global trend. Recent impactful cases include Brazil’s Supreme Court recognizing the Paris Climate Agreement as a human rights treaty and a Dutch court ordering Shell to cut emissions by 45% by 2030, marking the first such obligation for a private company under the Paris Agreement. This legal momentum underscores the intertwining of climate action with the pursuit of human rights and accountability.
Climate Battle Takes Crucial Turn as Young Activists Challenge European Governments
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