The General Court of the European Union rejected a request filed by organizations Global Legal Action Network and CAN Europe for the reassessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets by 2030. The decision represents a setback for environmental groups that sought to force a more ambitious revision of European climate objectives.
The two NGOs argued that the quotas established by the European Commission were based on insufficient emission reduction targets. They claimed that these targets were not in compliance with European Union law nor with obligations arising from international law, including the Paris Agreement.
The court, however, decided not to grant the appeal, thus maintaining the currently in force emission targets for the next decade. This decision highlights the legal difficulties faced by civil society organizations that attempt to compel European institutions to adopt stricter climate policies through judicial avenues.
