UK govt faces historic climate adaptation challenge

The British government confronted an unprecedented legal challenge at the High Court in London after it failed to set proper objectives in its climate adaptation strategy on Tuesday.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth, alongside two individuals personally affected by climate change, is questioning the adequacy of the government’s measures to protect people, property, and infrastructure from climate impacts.

This landmark case is the first of its kind in Britain and follows severe criticism of the government’s climate risk management strategy. It also comes in the wake of a significant European court ruling against Switzerland regarding climate policies.

The plaintiffs argue that the National Adaptation Programme (NAP3), which aims to safeguard against extreme weather, flooding, and coastal erosion, falls short of legal requirements.

“For the first time in UK legal history, the High Court will have to determine whether the government's policy to adapt to climate change is lawful, including whether our clients' human rights have been breached,” said Rowan Smith, one of the lawyers representing the claimants. Smith described the case as “truly a landmark climate change case, which is likely to have far-reaching implications for generations to come.”

The latest version of the National Adaptation Programme, updated in July 2023, must be renewed every five years. It outlines the government’s objectives and strategies for climate adaptation. However, the claimants’ legal team contends that the Conservative government, which recently lost a general election, failed to comply with the 2008 Climate Change Act. This act mandates reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and requires adaptation strategies to address climate risks.

This case could set a significant precedent for climate policy and legal accountability in the UK.