Permission to Challenge Government’s Alleged Failure to Tackle Climate Change Refused on the Papers

04 October, 2021

Mr Justice Cavanagh has refused permission on the papers to bring a judicial review claim challenging the alleged failure of the United Kingdom Government to take practical and effective measures to tackle climate change and comply with the Paris Agreement.

Permission to Challenge Government’s Alleged Failure to Tackle Climate Change Refused on the Papers

04 October, 2021

Mr Justice Cavanagh has refused permission on the papers to bring a judicial review claim challenging the alleged failure of the United Kingdom Government to take practical and effective measures to tackle climate change and comply with the Paris Agreement.

The challenge was brought by Plan B Earth and four individual claimants. It raised a number of grounds relating to the Paris Agreement and the Climate Change Act 2008, and argued that the Government’s alleged inaction on climate change had breached the Claimants’ rights under Articles 2, 8 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The challenge was reported in the national and international press. 

The Claimants now have an opportunity to renew their application for permission. 

Press Coverage: Guardian, CNN.

Richard Honey QC, Ned Westaway and Flora Curtis were instructed by the Government Legal Department on behalf of the Defendants.