France’s problems set to increase in ‘case of the century’, will suffer the brunt of climate inactivity

While France has promised to reduce its emissions by 40 percent by 2030, climatologists say that France has already exceeded its carbon budget much earlier and has yet to make its buildings more energy efficient Not taking enough steps to create or develop renewable energy.

Even in a report presented by the French Independent Advisory Council on Climate, it has been warned that the government will have to work hard to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the country as it is the first official of its 2015-18 carbon budget. Failed to fulfill the objective.

During this period, annual emissions declined by only 1.1 percent, much lower than the planned target. The report even stated that the government would have to triple the emission reduction rate to meet its targets by 2025.

For all these reasons, France today stands at such a point when in a historic legal case, it seems certain to proceed. This case is so important in the context of climate change that it is being called “Case of the Century”.

Indeed the courts in the Netherlands have ordered the state to set higher targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the name of protecting the rights of its citizens. And now such an order may soon arrive in France.

The hearing of the “Case of the Century”, in which four French NGOs at the end of 2018 brought a case against the French state again for “climate inaction”.

The NGO hopes the case will trigger as much action as human rights to limit climate change by saying that blaming the French would represent a significant symbolic victory. May also force other governments to do more. “

On 18 December 2018, four NGOs (Notre Affair à Tous, Fédation Nicolas Houlot, Oxfam France and Greenpeace France) made an initial claim for compensation from the French state. The initial claim for compensation recalls the context and risks related to the weight of climate change on the world and France, the drawbacks against the French state and specific requests to overcome them. The French state had two months to provide a response.

The case stated that France had promised to reduce its emissions by 40% by 2030, but NGOs say the state was exceeding its carbon budget and fast forward to refurbishing the buildings Not growing, so that they can be made energy efficient, or renewable energy can be developed. He claims that it is having a serious impact on the daily quality of life and health of people in France.

In a written defense, the French government dismissed the allegations of inaction and asked the court to exclude any claims for compensation. It argued that the state could not be uniquely responsible for climate change when it was not responsible for all global emissions.

On 15 February 2019, the Minister of State, Ecology and Solid Transition rejected the request.

On 14 March 2019, the four NGOs filed their case before the Administrative Court of Paris, which deals with the state’s inaction on climate change through a “summary request” before the Administrative Court of Paris.

The government responded on 23 June 2020, stating that it was taking action to address greenhouse gas emissions and that it met its 2030 target (ie, reducing GHG emissions by 40% compared to 1990) The time to do is not over. However France stood at just -20% by the end of 2019, and has consistently failed to meet its carbon budget in previous years.

The Nicholas Hulott Foundation said in a statement, “The climate crisis remains the biggest concern of the French people, even with the health crisis. Even though we saw record high temperatures in 2020, the state is consistently delaying its action. They said NGOs are “optimistic that tribunals will recognize the state’s climate inaction.” Finally, we hope judges will recognize the state’s general obligation to fight climate change … such a decision would be historic and the fact in the law books Will write that the fight against climate change is essential as a protection of fundamental rights.

On January 14, 2021, a hearing was held, entitled “Public with the public” (a representative of the Council of State – the Supreme Court – charged with forming an independent legal opinion to help the Court make its decision) NGOS and it Making the case that the French state is indeed at fault.

This hearing is more ‘historical of this century’ as it is the most supported action for climate justice in the world. It is the result of people’s action.

In a hearing on Thursday, the State Advisory Council charged with providing “public relations”, an independent legal opinion, said there was indeed a “flawed deficiency” on the part of the state – the verdict would be revealed in the next 2 weeks, but it was good. Cuts the way.