Milieu & duurzaamheid·greenpeace.org·28 jan

Historic victory: Dutch court declares climate policy inadequate in Bonaire climate case

The District Court of The Hague ruled today that the Dutch State’s current climate policy infringes upon the human rights of the residents of the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire and results in unfair treatment compared to citizens in the European part of the Netherlands. With the current climate targets and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the State is not complying with international agreements. In doing so, the State is acting unlawfully towards the residents of Bonaire. Furthermore, the State has not taken sufficient measures to protect the inhabitants of Bonaire in the climate crisis. The court orders the State to draw up an adaptation plan and implement it by 2030 at the latest. The State must also set new binding targets for the entire Dutch economy within 18 months to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make a fair contribution to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.