Dutch Court: Climate Inaction is Discrimination

A Hague court has delivered a significant ruling, stating that the Netherlands has discriminated against the inhabitants of Bonaire by inadequately addressing the impacts of climate change. The judgment, issued recently, found the Dutch government’s actions in contrast to the protections afforded to citizens in the European part of the country and insufficient in its national emissions reduction efforts.

The court has mandated the development of a specific adaptation plan for Bonaire, an island highly vulnerable to rising sea levels and extreme heat. Additionally, the Netherlands must establish a national carbon budget within six months, aligned with a 1.5C global warming threshold, and set legally binding interim emission reduction targets.

This legal challenge, initiated in early 2024, highlighted that Bonaire, despite being a Dutch special municipality since 2010, lacked the necessary resources and plans to combat climate risks that have been evident for decades. The court’s decision reinforces the government’s obligations under human rights conventions, citing breaches of the right to private life and the prohibition of discrimination.

The ruling draws parallels to a historic 2019 judgment that compelled the Dutch government to significantly cut its own emissions, which inspired global climate litigation. This latest decision is being carefully reviewed by Dutch ministers, though it is open to appeal.