The climate movement led by Greta Thunberg and other activists announced that they will take the Swedish State to court again for its alleged inaction in the face of the climate crisis. This decision comes just two months after the Supreme Court dismissed the collective lawsuit filed under the name “Aurora”, arguing that individuals face “very demanding requirements” to file this type of complaints against the State.
Nevertheless, the high court left open the possibility for associations to have legitimacy to file climate lawsuits. In response, the Aurora collective requested the Nacka district court —where the case was originally filed— to reconsider the case with an association as a plaintiff.
“Aurora will refile the lawsuit if the court rejects this modification,” the activists stated in a press release.
The lawsuit demands that the Swedish government take specific measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within what is technically and economically feasible. This is the first climate judicial process of its kind in Sweden.
Greta Thunberg.
Authorities’ Response to Greta Thunberg’s and Other Activists’ Complaint
Both the Swedish Climate Policy Council and the Environmental Protection Agency warned that the current policies of the conservative government will increase emissions, moving the country away from its national and European climate commitments.
On the other hand, the Minister of the Environment, Romina Pourmokhtari, appeared unconcerned by these criticisms, stating that she is not “particularly worried” about the warnings.
The project aims to reduce CO2 emissions.
An Activist with History
In August 2018, youth-led climate protests began when Greta Thunberg, then a 15-year-old unknown, sat in front of the Swedish Parliament demanding climate action and the abandonment of fossil fuels.
Since then, in the six years since the founding of Fridays for Future by Thunberg, global carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels have increased by 2.15%, according to the scientific group Global Carbon Project. Although emissions growth has slowed compared to previous decades, experts warn that there is still a long way to go for the 43% reduction needed to stay within agreed temperature limits.
Source: AFP.
