Dutch court says government must cut greenhouse gases faster

Record ID: 1449815

  • Title: Dutch court says government must cut greenhouse gases faster
  • Date: 20th December 2019
  • Summary: AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS (FILE - DECEMBER 1, 2017) (REUTERS) PEOPLE CYCLING ON BRIDGE OVER CANAL TOURISTS TAKING PHOTOS IN FRONT OF INSTALLATION WITH LETTERS READING "I AMSTERDAM" AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (FILE - NOVEMBER 15-18, 2017) (REUTERS) GROUP OF TOURISTS WALKING WITH SUITCASES CITY SIGHTSEEING BUS DRIVING BY
  • Embargoed: 3rd January 2020 11:31
  • Keywords: Amsterdam Climate change Netherlands The Hague environment greenhouse gases pollution trial
  • Location: THE HAGUE AND AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
  • City: THE HAGUE AND AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Topics: Pollution,Environment
  • Reuters ID: LVA005BAS6WXZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:PART VIDEO QUALITY AS INCOMING
    The Dutch High Court upheld on Friday (December 20) a ruling ordering the government to cut greenhouse gas emissions faster than planned and to ensure they are at least 25% below 1990 levels by the end of 2020.
    The court said the government had not done enough to protect its citizens from the dangerous effects of climate change, which can "threaten their lives and wellbeing".
    Emissions in the Netherlands were 15% lower than in 1990 last year, and are expected to be reduced by around 23% in 2020, the government's environmental advisory body PBL said last month.
    The ruling meant a final defeat for the government in the case brought on by environmental group Urgenda Foundation, on behalf of nearly 900 Dutch citizens.
    An appeals court last year already upheld the original 2015 verdict by a lower court, ordering the government to step up the fight against climate change.
    A raft of environmental initiatives announced this year would cut emissions to 43%-48% below 1990 levels by 2030, if the plans are all rolled out on time, according to PBL calculations.
    That would be less than the 49% target that Dutch authorities have set for 2030. The current EU-wide goal for CO2 emissions over the next 10 years is a 40% cut.
    (Production: Noemie Olive, Ardee Napolitano)
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