French court convicts state of not doing enough to combat climate change according to its plan
February 03, 2021
A Paris court has convicted the French state of not keeping up its promises according to its plan for tackling climate change. In what Environmentalists describe as a landmark ruling, the state has been found guilty of “non-respect of its engagements” towards combating climate change.
Environmental activists feel that this could help ramp up pressure on other countries to act on their climate change promises, as well as inspire people the world over to hold their governments accountable for their promises in courts.
Following a petition signed by 2.3 million people, four French environmental groups brought a legal case against the French government for not upholding its commitments in combating climate change. The French government initially planned to combat climate change through a multi-year plan to cut carbon emissions by 40%, reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and through the 2015 Paris Climate accord. For the French government to reach its climate targets, an annual greenhouse gas drop of 1.5% and 3.2% is needed until 2025 and afterward respectively. However, France’s greenhouse gas emission had only dropped by 0.9% in 2018-19.
In a reaction to the ruling, the government spokesman Gabriel Attal, did agree that not enough was done in the past but did mention that the current administration was working towards addressing these issues.
The government in its defence rejected the accusations of inaction and refused to compensate the plaintiffs. It also argued that the state cannot be uniquely held responsible for climate change as it was not solely responsible for all global emissions.
Cécile Duflot, Executive Director of Oxfam France, one of the environmentalists that brought the case to court, said the ruling was a historic victory for climate justice and all the people who were facing the consequences of climate change. She added that it was the first time the French court has ruled that the state can be held responsible for its climate commitments.
Jean-François Julliard, the executive director of Greenpeace France, another plaintiff was hopeful that the judgment would be used to push the French state to address the climate change issues duly.