ClientEarth

Scotland is ditching its flagship 2030 climate goal – why legally binding targets really matter

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Temperature, European Court, High court, Climate change, Letter, Human rights, Climate, Urgenda, Policy, Neubauer, Carbon, Court of cassation, ClientEarth, Embarrassment, Government, Legislation

The target was statutory, meaning it had been set in law in the Emissions Reduction Targets Act of 2019.

Key Points: 
  • The target was statutory, meaning it had been set in law in the Emissions Reduction Targets Act of 2019.
  • Scotland is still subject to the 2030 carbon target for the UK as a whole.
  • The consistent implementation of the existing targets, in other words, is the difference between meeting the Paris objectives and condemning the planet to dangerous climate change.

Legally (but not literally) binding

  • In 2017, Sweden was the first major economy to enact a statutory net zero target.
  • Its net zero target is complemented by a series of intermediate steps: five-yearly carbon budgets, which are also legally binding.
  • Legal scholars have long known that, even though the targets are legally binding, they would be difficult to enforce against an unwilling government.

Governments in the dock

  • The plaintiff was the environmental law charity ClientEarth, which remains dissatisfied with the strategy and returned to court in February 2024.
  • If successful, such a move would be the latest in a series of court cases in which judges have ordered governments to scale up their climate ambitions.
  • The political embarrassment of missing a statutory target, or being subject to a court case, can focus the mind.
  • A review of the UK Climate Change Act found that civil servants were petrified about the threat of a judicial review.
  • Scotland’s decision to abandon its 2030 climate ambition is the most brazen violation of a statutory climate target yet.


Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 30,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.
Sam Fankhauser receives funding from the University of Oxford's Strategic Research Fund for Oxford Net Zero and the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN).

Tsinghua's institute for climate change and Asian Development Bank jointly call for good Nature-based Solutions practices in Asia

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 9, 2022
Carbon, United Nations, The Nature Conservancy, ClientEarth, Nature, 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, Conference, Global Youth Action Network, ICCSD, Sustainability, Partnership, Tsinghua University, Biodiversity, Biodiversity loss, Sustainable Development Goals, Research, Stanford University, Civilization, Sustainable development, CBD, Li Zheng, World Economic Forum, Multimedia, Asian Development Bank, UN, ADB, TNC, Database, Food, Climate change, NBS, Organization, Agriculture, Renewable energy, University, Climate

This reflects a growing understanding of the linkages between the two issues and the need for integrated solutions.

Key Points: 
  • This reflects a growing understanding of the linkages between the two issues and the need for integrated solutions.
  • The Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at Tsinghua University (ICCSD) and Asia Development Bank (ADB) jointly announced to call for good practices on Nature-based Solutions across Asia at CBD COP15.
  • The report of the research is planned to be released at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
  • View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tsinghuas-institute-for-climate...
    SOURCE The Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Tsinghua

Tsinghua's institute for climate change and Asian Development Bank jointly call for good Nature-based Solutions practices in Asia

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 9, 2022
Carbon, United Nations, The Nature Conservancy, ClientEarth, Nature, 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, Conference, Global Youth Action Network, ICCSD, Sustainability, Partnership, Tsinghua University, Biodiversity, Biodiversity loss, Sustainable Development Goals, Research, Stanford University, Civilization, Sustainable development, CBD, Li Zheng, World Economic Forum, Asian Development Bank, UN, ADB, TNC, Database, Food, Climate change, NBS, Organization, Agriculture, Renewable energy, University, Climate

The agendas of the UN treaties on climate change and biodiversity have increasingly intersected.

Key Points: 
  • The agendas of the UN treaties on climate change and biodiversity have increasingly intersected.
  • This reflects a growing understanding of the linkages between the two issues and the need for integrated solutions.
  • The Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development at Tsinghua University (ICCSD) and Asia Development Bank (ADB) jointly announced to call for good practices on Nature-based Solutions across Asia at CBD COP15.
  • ICCSD further join hands with ADB to establish an Asian NbS database for deeper analysis of such practices across the region.

Think tank continues to help drive nation's green agenda

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Leadership, ClientEarth, Multilateralism, Time, Program, Palm oil, Transport, Developed country, Horse, Policy, Environment, Government, Environmental planning, Mineral, De Boer, Chinese Academy of Governance, Lees, Development, Growth, Club, Attitude, Employment, Climate, Learning, History, Climate change, Carbon, GDP, Renewable energy, Toy, Management, Tourism, Drug, Public relations, Medical device, Medicine, Agriculture

He served three five-year terms as a member of the high-level think tank that reports to the government.

Key Points: 
  • He served three five-year terms as a member of the high-level think tank that reports to the government.
  • Three decades have passed since then, and the country has not only seen its economy boom, but also made significant environmental progress.
  • "Developed countries don't have these kinds of things because they think they know it all.
  • "It's not really happening yet, but I think it willmaybe in another five to 10 years," he said.

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan and other members of the Scotia Group declare "diplomatic emergency" and call on COP 26 summit to deliver rapid, permanent emissions reductions to avoid a "climate tragedy"

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Investment, Harvard University, Lawyer, Cop, Alan Turing Institute, UN, International Bar Association, Policy, Patronage, COP, Climate, ClientEarth, OPEC, University of Oxford, Renewable energy

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan,the Patron of the Scotia Group, said:

Key Points: 
  • Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan,the Patron of the Scotia Group, said:
    "If COP 26 cannot deliver rapid, permanent emissions reductions and the ability of citizens to enforce the promises their governments make, Scotia Group members question the purpose of further climate COPs."
  • Howard Covington, the Chair of the Scotia Group Inception Commission, added:
    "This is a rapidly gathering international crisis.
  • We may already need the continuous emergency diplomacy that is used in times of such crisis."
  • Saudi Arabia should lead OPEC in halting new investment in additional oil production, a policy the US should support.

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan and other members of the Scotia Group declare "diplomatic emergency" and call on COP 26 summit to deliver rapid, permanent emissions reductions to avoid a "climate tragedy"

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Investment, Harvard University, Lawyer, Cop, Alan Turing Institute, UN, International Bar Association, Policy, Patronage, COP, Climate, ClientEarth, OPEC, University of Oxford, Renewable energy

Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan,the Patron of the Scotia Group, said:

Key Points: 
  • Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan,the Patron of the Scotia Group, said:
    "If COP 26 cannot deliver rapid, permanent emissions reductions and the ability of citizens to enforce the promises their governments make, Scotia Group members question the purpose of further climate COPs."
  • Howard Covington, the Chair of the Scotia Group Inception Commission, added:
    "This is a rapidly gathering international crisis.
  • We may already need the continuous emergency diplomacy that is used in times of such crisis."
  • Saudi Arabia should lead OPEC in halting new investment in additional oil production, a policy the US should support.

Lords debates Fisheries Bill

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Countries, Environmental law in the United Kingdom, ClientEarth, Environmental law, Marine Management Organisation, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, John Gardiner, Baron Gardiner of Kimble, Parliament of Singapore, Environment (Wales) Act, Speaker of the House of Commons, Seafarers UK, United Kingdom

Members of the Lords will discuss the key principles and purpose of the Fisheries Bill during second reading on Tuesday 11 February.

Key Points: 
  • Members of the Lords will discuss the key principles and purpose of the Fisheries Bill during second reading on Tuesday 11 February.
  • Speakers expected to take part include a member of the ClientEarth Development Committee and a trustee of Seafarers UK.
  • Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative), Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is expected to open the debate on the bill and respond on behalf of the government.
  • protect the UK's marine environment by extending the powers of the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Scottish and Welsh Ministers.

Lords discusses net zero carbon emissions target

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 7, 2020
Articles, Environmental law, Energy economics, Nature, Energy, ClientEarth, Low-carbon economy

Members of the House of Lords debated the UK Fires report 'Absolute Zero', which details efforts to address climate change and net zero carbon emissions, on Thursday 6 February.

Key Points: 
  • Members of the House of Lords debated the UK Fires report 'Absolute Zero', which details efforts to address climate change and net zero carbon emissions, on Thursday 6 February.
  • Speakers included the CEO of the Energy Managers Association and a development board member of ClientEarth.
  • During debates, members are able to put their experience to good use, discussing current issues and drawing the government's attention to concerns.
  • The debate was proposed by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour), consultantto the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

Lords debates net zero carbon emissions target

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Articles, Nature, Energy, ClientEarth, Environmental law, Low-carbon economy, Lord Brown

Members of the House of Lords, includingCEO of the Energy Managers Association and a development board member of ClientEarth,will debate the UK Fires report 'Absolute Zero', efforts to address climate change andnet zero carbon emissions, on Thursday 6 February.

Key Points: 
  • Members of the House of Lords, includingCEO of the Energy Managers Association and a development board member of ClientEarth,will debate the UK Fires report 'Absolute Zero', efforts to address climate change andnet zero carbon emissions, on Thursday 6 February.
  • This is ageneral debate.
  • During debates, members are able to put their experience to good use, discussing current issues and drawing the government's attention to concerns.
  • The debate was proposed by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour), consultantto the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

Who will uphold environmental law after Brexit?

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Environmental law, ClientEarth, Organizations, Brexit, International organizations, United Nations General Assembly, European Union

The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee invites a roundtable of experts to explore how EU mechanisms to ensure compliance with environmental obligations will be replaced after Brexit

Key Points: 
  • Who will uphold environmental law after Brexit?
  • The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee invites a roundtable of experts to explore how EU mechanisms to ensure compliance with environmental obligations will be replaced after Brexit.
  • Wednesday 6 February in Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster
    Tom West, UK Environment Lead at ClientEarth.
  • Specific issues that may be raised include:
    Whether the proposed Office of Environmental Protection (OEP) is sufficiently independent.