ClientEarth

We're non-profit lawyers for the planet. Now more than ever, the rule of law is essential to keep democracies strong, justice alive, and our rights defended. Become part of our legal fight - join us: https://brnw.ch/21wOrZH

⚠️The EU deforestation law (EUDR) won't come into force until 2026; and when it does, it might not apply to products from some countries. This would make product traceability, monitoring and enforcement practically impossible for EU countries. This is a collective act of self-sabotage and a terrible signal to the world. We shared our reaction here: https://brnw.ch/21wOCYD

A lot of talks will happen at COP29 in the next two weeks and it's critical that words and pledges become enforceable national laws - Framework Climate Laws. Now we're publishing our four asks from #COP29: 1. Transition away from fossil fuels, translating COP28's UAE consensus into real action. 2. Every country must publish their NDCs - Nationally Determined Contributions - on time for Feb 2025. 3. Countries without Framework Climate Laws must enact them by COP30. 4. While countries that already have them, must make sure they are fully compatible with 1.5C. We use the law to advocate for stronger legal frameworks to protect the rights of future generations - now governments need to as well. #ClimateLawsNow 👉 Find out more:

The UK government has announced its 2035 emissions target at COP29 today. Targets are important – but action is critical, and the new government has until May 2025 to produce a credible climate plan that sets out how it will meet the UK’s legally binding targets. Our lawyer, Sam Hunter Jones said: “If the government is serious about meeting its targets, it needs to focus on proven, high-impact measures that can also reduce people’s bills at the same time as creating jobs and energy security. “These include increased investment in home insulation and public transport networks across the UK – and not expensive and high-risk carbon capture technology.”

Shell have won their appeal in a climate case brought by a Dutch NGO. However, the spotlight is still on the legal responsibilities for high-emitting companies. In 2021, the Hague district court ruled that Shell, as a major emitter of greenhouse gases, has a legal obligation to reduce them by 45% by 2030 in a case brought by Dutch NGO Milieudefensie and others. But today, Shell has won its appeal against that ruling. “Of course the result of this judgment is disappointing. But this is unlikely to be the end of the road for the claim. And it certainly does not mean that Shell can evade its legal responsibilities for its massive climate impact. On the contrary, the Court was very clear: high-emitting companies like Shell have a legal obligation to reduce their emissions, and protection from dangerous climate change is a human right. There is no doubt that Shell’s current strategy remains commercially and legally risky. Climate change and the energy transition present seismic risks to the company and society, and doubling down on fossil fuels that cannot be burnt in a carbon-constrained world only exacerbates those risks. We stand by our own claim that Shell’s Board is fundamentally mismanaging these risks, to the detriment of the company and all its stakeholders. We’ll continue to keep a close eye on this case and, despite this setback, congratulate Milieudefensie on its efforts to hold Shell accountable.” Paul Benson, ClientEarth lawyer

We're #hiring a new Chief Programmes and Impact Officer in London Area, United Kingdom. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We are thrilled that Laura Clarke OBE has been included in the 2024 TIME 100 Climate list, alongside Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, Amy Bowers Cordalis, Founder of Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, and Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, as well as so many more of the world’s most influential leaders in climate action. “I am humbled to be listed as one of the TIME100 Climate for 2024 among such a stellar group of climate leaders and activists. The climate and nature crises are the greatest challenges of our time, so it is heartening to have such an incredible group of people dedicating their lives to this work.” See the full list: https://brnw.ch/21wOzc0 Hear more from Laura here: https://brnw.ch/21wOzc1

❗Today marks the start of #COP29 the UN climate conference. The summit will see global representatives from all over the world gather together to discuss the future of climate finance and their climate pledges. COP will run in Azerbaijan from 11th-22 Nov. Our climate and policy experts will there feeding back on progress. #ClimateLawsNow Find out more below:

📢 The UK government is looking into illegally dirty vehicles following our complaint 📢 It's been almost 10 years since the 'Dieselgate' scandal first broke. The scandal saw German car manufacturer Volkswagen being found to have fitted diesel engines with 'defeat devices', which would allow them to wrongfully pass emissions testing.   In 2024, evidence suggests there are still too many cars on our roads with these illegal defeat devices, meaning they are emitting far more pollution than they should, and that the problem is industry wide.    As air pollution is one of the biggest threats to public health in the UK, this cannot continue. That's why we sent a complaint to the UK Government, asking them to clean up the dirty legacy of Dieselgate and force car manufacturers to pay.   Following this, the government has announced that it has started a wide investigation into vehicles with illegal defeat devices. We will be pressing the government to approach these investigations with the urgency and rigour this issue deserves.

We're #hiring a new Senior Philanthropy Officer in Berlin. Apply today or share this post with your network.