Case summary

In partnership with Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, we launched a legal challenge against the European Commission over its 2030 emissions targets for member states. The case argues that the current targets are inadequate and would lead to 3°C of global heating by 2100 if replicated globally. This legal action is the first of its kind to ask the EU courts to scrutinise climate targets.

On 2nd September, the General Court of the European Union’s handed down its decision to decline to consider the compatibility of the EU’s 2030 climate targets with the EU’s obligations under environmental law. Even more so since plaintiffs’ claim that the EU 2030 climate targets are consistent with a catastrophic 3°C of global warming was uncontested by the European Commission itself.

“After a summer where wildfires, droughts and extreme heat devastated lives and livelihoods across Europe, this ruling does not lessen the urgent need for strong EU climate action with clear rules at its core. At a time of concerted efforts to weaken climate legislation, the European Commission should champion the rule of law needed to drive climate ambition, accountability and action.  said Sven Harmeling, Head of Climate at CAN Europe.  

“At no point in the case did the Commission challenge our evidence which shows that the EU’s emissions targets are aligned with a catastrophic 3°C of global warming this century,” said Gerry Liston, Legal Co-Lead at GLAN. “Rulings already delivered by the European Court of Human Rights and International Court of Justice make clear that this is a flagrant violation of the EU’s international legal obligations. Nothing about today’s ruling by the EU court contradicts our position that the EU’s targets are grossly insufficient and therefore, illegal.”