Latest news with #climate action
France 24
2 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
World's major courts take growing role in climate fight
Wednesday's highly anticipated advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice comes in the wake of landmark international decisions that experts say together have the potential to significantly shape climate action. - How has climate litigation evolved? - Andrew Raine, deputy director of the UN Environment Programme's law division, said frustration over the pace of climate action had spurred people, organisations and countries to turn to the courts. "When political systems fall short, the law is increasingly seen as a tool for driving ambition and enforcing commitments that have been made," he told AFP. These have been bolstered by increasingly precise and detailed climate science, including from the UN's IPCC climate expert panel. Almost 3,000 climate cases have been filed up to the end of 2024, in nearly 60 countries, according to the Grantham Research Institute, using data compiled by the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. While not all have been successful -- and some have tried to slow climate progress -- there have been notable cases in recent years that have pushed states to do more. Urgenda, an environmental organisation in the Netherlands, notched a win at the Dutch Supreme Court in 2019, with justices ordering the government to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by the end of the following year. And in 2021, the German Constitutional Court found that the government's failure to sufficiently cut planet-heating pollution placed an unacceptable burden on future generations. Raine said that litigation was increasingly crossing borders, with 24 cases brought before international or regional courts, tribunals or other bodies. "This marks a turning point and it reflects the transboundary and shared nature of the climate crisis," he said. - Why have recent cases been deemed historic? - Two in particular have been hailed as watershed moments that will help shape how courts, governments and businesses understand and act on their climate responsibilities. Last year, an advisory opinion by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea said carbon emissions can be considered a marine pollutant and that countries have a legal duty to take measures to reduce their effects on oceans. The tribunal made clear that the work of defining countries' obligations is not limited to the Paris climate agreement or the UN body that runs climate change negotiations. Major polluters have argued that the UN framework is sufficient and against courts taking climate decisions. Another major advisory opinion was issued this month, with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights reaffirming the right to a healthy climate system and acknowledging the rights of nature. But perhaps the court's most profound statement was to place protection against irreversible climate harms on the same level as international prohibitions on genocide and torture, said Cesar Rodriguez-Garavito, Professor of Law and Director of the Climate Law Accelerator at New York University. The court said "massive and serious harm to the climate system through emissions, through deforestation and so on, is absolutely forbidden by international law," he said. In his view this made it the strongest statement yet by any international court on states' duty to avoid causing severe ecological destruction. All eyes are now on the ICJ. What could be the impact? Vanuatu, one of many low-lying islands threatened by sea level rise, has asked the ICJ to give its opinion on states' obligations to reduce emissions. But the potentially more controversial request is what -- if any -- legal consequences there might be for major polluters who cause severe climate damages. "These are questions of global justice," said Rodriguez-Garavito, potentially touching on contentious issues of "reparations for climate harms" to those least responsible for emissions. While advisory opinions like the ICJ are not legally enforceable, Raine said they carry significant weight. "They clarify how international law applies to the climate crisis, and that has ripple effects across national courts, legislative processes and public debates," he said. © 2025 AFP
Economy ME
15-07-2025
- Business
- Economy ME
Bahrain commits to 30 percent emissions cut by 2035 and net zero by 2060 in global climate action
Bahrain is making significant strides in environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable development through a series of robust national policies, international collaborations, and community-driven efforts. These initiatives reflect the kingdom's commitment to safeguarding natural resources and ecosystems for future generations, in alignment with global climate goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda. Guided by the vision of the kingdom's leadership, Bahrain has positioned itself as a regional leader in environmental stewardship. The initiatives are driven by Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the King's Personal Representative and President of the Supreme Council for Environment (SCE). Bahrain is committed to safeguarding natural resources and ecosystems for future generations Read: Rising environmental, tech challenges threaten global stability: Report A national commitment to environmental sustainability As part of its environmental agenda, Bahrain marks February 4 each year as National Environment Day, reaffirming its commitment to building a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment aligned with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sheikh Abdullah emphasized Bahrain's growing reputation as a proactive and respected player in global environmental protection efforts. One of Bahrain's major achievements is the implementation of the National Water Strategy 2021–2030, which supports SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). The strategy focuses on integrated resource management, wastewater treatment and reuse, and smart solutions to improve water efficiency. It forms part of the government's broader commitment for 2023–2026 and is being executed in cooperation with the Ministry of Oil and Environment. Climate goals and carbon neutrality Bahrain has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2035 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2060. A key step in this direction was the launch of the Bahrain Mangroves initiative in December 2024, which has already doubled the kingdom's mangrove coverage through advanced, sustainable cultivation techniques. In addition to climate mitigation, the Supreme Council for Environment continues to introduce legislation and national initiatives to promote environmental sustainability, support green technologies, and protect Bahrain's biodiversity. These efforts include: Safe disposal of industrial and hazardous waste Rehabilitation of polluted land Reuse of treated wastewater in agriculture and landscaping Protection of endangered marine species like dolphins, sea turtles, and dugongs Conservation of rare wild birds and prevention of illegal hunting The SCE also enforces energy efficiency regulations, green building codes, ozone layer protection protocols, and chemical safety standards, while promoting environmental awareness across both public and private sectors. Bahrain has positioned itself as a regional leader in environmental stewardship Public awareness and global cooperation To increase environmental literacy, Bahrain launched a national campaign titled 'Sustainable Water – Every Drop Has a Story' in collaboration with the UN Environment Program. Spanning four months, the campaign reached communities across the kingdom through public events and educational initiatives, highlighting the critical role of water in sustainable development. Dr. Mohammad bin Dainah, Minister of Oil and Environment and Bahrain's Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, reiterated that environmental responsibility begins with awareness and ends with action. He stressed that sustainable behavior is key to preserving Bahrain's ecosystems and natural heritage. A model for regional sustainability Through its integrated efforts in environmental protection, water management, and climate action, Bahrain continues to align with global strategies while reinforcing local resilience. Authorities called on the international community to strengthen cooperation and share responsibilities in combating climate change, expanding green spaces, and securing a sustainable, biodiverse future. The kingdom's environmental efforts reflect a growing national consciousness, where government action is matched by active community participation. Together, these elements underscore Bahrain's unwavering commitment to building a more sustainable and environmentally secure future – locally, regionally, and globally.
CNA
13-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
EU wants to see China taking more ambitious climate action
BEIJING: The world needs China to show more leadership on climate action, EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said on Sunday (Jul 13), highlighting the importance of cutting planet-heating emissions and reducing the Chinese economy's reliance on coal. Hoekstra is in Beijing for high-level talks with Chinese officials on environmental and climate issues at which he also wants to encourage China to stop building new coal-fired power plants and phase out use of the fossil fuel. "We do encourage China to take more of a leadership role going forward and really hit the road with meaningful emission reductions in the next couple of years, and also move out of the domain of coal," Hoekstra told Reuters in an interview. The number of coal power plants in the pipeline has been increasing in China - the world's largest greenhouse gas emitter, according to the World Economic Forum. In the first three months this year, China's approved 11.29 gigawatts (GW) of new coal power plants exceeded the approval rate in the first half of 2024, a June report by environmental group Greenpeace showed. Last week, Hoekstra told the Financial Times the EU was holding off on signing a joint climate declaration with China unless Beijing pledges a greater commitment to reduce emissions. "We are open to looking into a potential declaration, but ... the thing that is most important about these types of statements is the content that goes into it," he said when asked about the issue, without specifying what commitment the EU hopes to see from China.
