Another legal challenge has been mounted – this time against HS2 – based on a failure to take account of carbon emissions and climate change in light of the Paris Agreement and the Government’s pledge to achieve "net zero" carbon emissions by 2050.
A fresh legal challenge to HS2 has been launched by the naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham, arguing that the UK government’s decision to approve the high-speed rail network failed to take account of its carbon emissions and climate impact.
The government has been served with a pre-action protocol letter challenging the decision:
The letter points out that the Oakervee report failed to take into account the full impact of HS2's potential carbon emissions impact. The initial environmental assessment for the project was published in 2013, before the government signed up to achieving "net zero" carbon emissions by 2050.
Tom Short, a solicitor at Leigh Day, said that the "environmental impacts relevant to the decision whether to proceed have not been properly assessed":
The government committed to base its decision of whether and how to proceed with HS2 on the output of a review that the public was assured would be rigorous and independent and would consider all the existing evidence and the full range of the costs of the project. Our client considers that the review has failed to meet those promised standards. He argues that the flawed process of the review means that environmental impacts relevant to the decision whether to proceed have not been properly assessed. In a time of unprecedented ecological catastrophe, he is clear that the law, and moral logic, require the government to think again.
Heathrow's expansion was stopped to protect our environment , let's make HS2 next . I've launched a new legal action against Boris' flawed decision to approve this absurd project .
— Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) March 2, 2020
Please join me .#ReThinkHS2https://t.co/agTkzRh7Mq
Legal actions will not stop with HS2:
*Big news*. In the wake of the Heathrow decision, with @DaleVince and @GoodLawProject, I'm mounting a legal challenge to the government's policy on power stations, pipelines and other fossil energy projects. I'm pretty sure we'll succeed. https://t.co/KeoM8Q0id8— George Monbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) March 3, 2020
Of course, some people want to dig up our countryside, destroying ancient woodland and wildlife habitat:
MPA members stand ready to supply the vast tonnages of aggregates, concrete and other mineral products required by #HS2 pic.twitter.com/aWzsmxV1oZ— Mineral Products Association (@MineralProduct) February 11, 2020
Whereas others would rather see the back of it:
Noise and traffic concerns over plan for new quarry to supply concrete for HS2 rail project - Derbyshire Live #HS2 https://t.co/llIm16Jnt7— Fay Cooper (@A6FVC) February 17, 2020
Plan to fill quarry with HS2 debris raises concerns over noise pollution and harm to wildlife - https://t.co/frWm222vIl— Rugby/Lutt Observer (@RugbyObserver) February 13, 2020
