In the recent ruling on the landmark climate case, the highest court of Germany has sided with the young activists pointing out that some of the aspects in the climate protection legislation of the country put too much burden on the younger generation for reducing greenhouse gas emission.
The issue of the case brought by nine young activists involved the 2019 Climate Change Act of the country, which states that the country requires to reduce its greenhouse gas emission by 55% by 2030. During this period the Act has set upper limits for the emission for various sectors, however, there are no specific targets set to reach the long-term goal of neutralizing greenhouse gas emission by 2050.
Giving the verdict on the said matter the Constitutional court of Germany stated that, “All aspects of human life virtually contribute to greenhouse emission, and these future obligations of reducing the emission impact every type of freedom, and will only be threatened by drastic restrictions after 2030.”
Stating the current provisions as incompatible with fundamental human rights, the Constitutional court has given a period until the end of the next year for the government to set clearer targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions starting in 2031. The young climate activists who brought the climate case backed by several environmental organizations are appreciating and celebrating this verdict as a historical win.
German
