Court orders Netherlands to further reduce greenhouse gasses

The court in The Hague ruled that the Dutch government has to reduce gas emissions by at least 25 percent by 2020 compared to the level in 1990.

This case was filed by climate organization Urgenda, NOS reports. Urgenda believes that the current climate policy is unlawful and that the government is letting the current generation down. The environmental organization demanded that the Dutch government reduce the CO2 emissions from industry and cars by 40 percent compared to the level in 1990.

The court ruled that the state has the responsibility to reduce emissions. "Settling for lower reduction is unlawful with respect to Urgenda", the judge said. The court stated that the case contains difficult and comprehensive technical climate questions and the court does not possess the necessary expertise in this field. The court therefore viewed the fact on which both sides agree.

Urgenda director Marjan Minnesma called the ruling a great victory, adding that it means that people all over the world can take their governments to task on reducing emissions. "This is what you always hope for, but everyone said 'this will never happen'", Minnesma said.