Monday 2 October 2017

‘Ministers who fail to cut greenhouse gas emissions should face legal action…’

The government knows very well what needs to be done - but it isn't doing it.
If it takes legal action to force ministers to behave properly, then so be it - I'll support it.
But why stop there?

Councils know very well what needs to be done; some enshrine it in their Minerals Plan:
Devon Minerals Plan Objective 1: …secure a spatial pattern of mineral development that delivers the essential resources to markets within and outside Devon while minimising transportation by road and generation of greenhouse gases…
But why stop there?

It’s clear that aggregate companies and their directors know very well what needs to be done. Some sign up to glossy climate initiatives to "Make freight transport climate compatible" telling the whole world and his dog that they will be "avoiding journeys where possible".

If Aggregate Industries’ multi-million mile plan for Straitgate Farm is anything to go by, it’s all hot air.

So, what will force councils and aggregate companies to behave properly? Because as Prof. King says:
If scientists are telling us our current course of emissions potentially takes us to catastrophe, then to stick to the current course is irrational.
The best available science tells us the risks of crossing tipping points rise very sharply between 1.5 and 2C. And that means the UK cutting emissions to zero.
But in actual fact, carbon emitters know they are in the sights of climate litigants; LafargeHolcim, AI's parent, has identified litigation as "an emerging phenomenon in some jurisdictions", and one of its three main risks from climate change. 

And why shouldn’t they all be worried about litigation? The writing's been on the wall for over 100 years.