Campaign groups lodge judicial review challenge over Carbon Budget Delivery Plan
Three environmental groups have appointed barristers to act for them in seeking judicial review of the Government’s revised net-zero strategy, the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan.
Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth and the Good Law Project argue the plan is unlawful as it lacks legally necessary information on the Government’s assessment of the risk to delivery of the policies and proposals relied on in it.
They noted the Climate Change Committee’s report of June 2023, which the three groups said concluded credible plans existed for less than 20% of the emissions cuts needed to meet the UK’s legally binding emission reduction targets under the Climate Change Act 2008.
A rolled up hearing of the three organisations’ claims is expected to January.
Friends of the Earth lawyer Katie de Kauwe said: “We’re delighted to have confirmation that the High Court will hear our legal challenge. We believe we have a strong case that the government’s revised climate strategy is unlawful, with its own advisers saying their plans fall short.
“There is now a new Secretary of State, and this legal challenge is a timely reminder that every UK government has a legal duty to act on climate change – or risk facing legal action.
“With growing concern over this government’s commitment to net zero, and the prime minister’s pledge to ‘max out’ North Sea oil and gas, the Climate Change Act is more important than ever in acting as a vital backstop to the political short-termism that is threatening all our futures.”
A Government spokesperson said: "The UK has already overperformed against our previous targets and we’ve cut emissions faster than any other G7 country.
“We are adopting a fairer and more pragmatic approach to meeting Net Zero that eases the burdens on working people.
“The Government remains completely committed to its Net Zero commitments, set out in law. Our targets keep us on track to meet that legal commitment, and to meet international commitments including those under the Paris Agreement.”
Mark Smulian
