Dutch government ordered to cut carbon emissions in landmark ruling

[malaise]

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jun/24/dutch-government-ordered-cut-carbon-emissions-landmark-ruling
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A court in the Hague has declared the Dutch government’s climate policy illegal and ordered it to cut its emissions by at least 25% within five years, in a landmark ruling.

To cheers from climate campaigners in the court, three judges ruled that government plans to cut emissions by just 14-17% compared to 1990 levels by 2020 were illegal.

In the first climate change liability suit brought under human rights and tort law, Judge Hans Hofhuis said that the threat posed by global warming was severe and acknowledged by the Dutch government in international treaties.

“The state should not hide behind the argument that the solution to the global climate problem does not depend solely on Dutch efforts,” the judges’ ruling said. “Any reduction of emissions contributes to the prevention of dangerous climate change and as a developed country the Netherlands should take the lead in this.”

Some 886 plaintiffs organised by the Urgenda movement had accused the Dutch government of negligence for “knowingly contributing” to a breach of the 2C maximum target for global warming. The first hearing was held in April.

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Great news with huge implications for politicians owned by corporations.

One question though - what are their thoughts on Shell?