Category: News
Plan B writes Letter before Action over New Deal for Polluters
We’ve just sent Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Michael Gove and Andrew Bailey a letter threatening legal action over their “new deal” for polluters, for which they have no democratic mandate....
CCC advises Government to prepare for apocalypse
CCC advises Government to prepare for apocalypse Today the Committee on Climate Change, the Government’s statutory adviser, published its progress report to Parliament, Reducing UK Emissions. The report advises...
Supreme Court to review Heathrow Judgment
The Supreme Court has granted Heathrow Airport Ltd and Arora Holdings Ltd permission to appeal the judgment of the Court of Appeal. Tim Crosland, Director of Plan B.Earth, said:...
“The Heathrow decision: a moment of truth”
“In essence, the Court of Appeal’s ruling is a conservative proposition: the government, in developing major infrastructure plans, should take into account its own policy commitment to the Paris...
Plan B event: Tackle climate crisis and poverty with zeal of Covid-19 fight, scientists urge
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/28/coronavirus-tackle-climate-crisis-and-poverty-with-zeal-of-covid-19-fight-scientists-urge
A “WELLBEING ECONOMY” MUST EMERGE FROM COVID-19
Yesterday, 26 March, climate litigation charity Plan B gathered together over 100 members of the British media, many of them leading figures in print and broadcast journalism, for a...
Bell Tolls on Carbon Economy asCourt of Appeal rules Heathrow Expansion Plans “unlawful”
In a ground-breaking moment, the Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of Plan B’s claim, that the Government’s plans to expand Heathrow Airport were unlawful because they failed...
Heathrow Judgement Day to be Live-Streamed
In view of the exceptional public interest in the outcome of the Heathrow proceedings, which will decided whether Chris Grayling, the sacked Minister of Transport, was right in failing...
BREAKING: Heathrow judgment imminent
The Court of Appeal will “hand down” its judgement on Heathrow Airport expansion at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, 27 February
Dutch Supreme Court confirms Right to Life!
Massive news from Holland today. The Dutch Supreme Court has confirmed the Government has a legal obligation to protect its citizens from climate change as part of the right...
Court of Appeal hearing: 17 October
Tomorrow, 17 October (“World Poverty Day”), the Court of Appeal will begin hearing the legal challenges to Heathrow expansion. Plan B’s and Friends of the Earth’s claims, focussed on...
Plan B highlights human rights violations in policing of XR
Today, 11 October, Plan B has written to the Metropolitan Police to highlight numerous reports of abuses, including the use of armed police to stop peaceful activists. Tim Crosland,...
Plan B files skeleton argument for Court of Appeal
Today Plan B filed a further skeleton argument in response to the Government ahead of the Court of Appeal hearing on 17th and 18th October: Reply skeleton argument “More...
Heathrow Appeal to be live-streamed
Plan B’s campaign to have the Heathrow proceedings live-streamed, supported by more than 1,500 people, did not succeed before the Divisional Court. But it seems it had an impact....
Court orders full hearing of Heathrow appeal
Today the Court of Appeal has ordered a full hearing of the appeals against Heathrow expansion, including Plan B’s legal claim. Lord Justice Lindblom stated: “The importance of the...
Government tells Plan B it may review Heathrow plans
A senior civil servant at the Department of Transport has written to Plan B to say the Government may now review plans to expand Heathrow Airport. Following Parliament’s recognition...
Jury finds climate protestors NOT GUILTY
On 9 May, at Southwark Crown Court, a jury found two Extinction Rebellion activists, Roger Hallam and David Durant not guilty of causing criminal damage. Roger and David admitted...
Plan B file appeal on Heathrow judgement
Today Plan B filed an appeal against the Heathrow judgement. You can read our skeleton argument here: Court of Appeal, Skeleton Argument
Plan B requests formal review of Heathrow plans
Plan B has today written to the Government requesting that it review its plans to expand Heathrow Airport in light of: Parliament’s recognition yesterday of the existence of a...
High Court backs Heathrow Expansion
Today, 1 May, the High Court dismissed all the legal challenges to the Government’s plans to expand Heathrow Airport, including the claims brought by Friends of the Earth and...
James Hansen writes letter to the general public
Dr James Hansen, the father of climate science whose testimony to US Congress in 1988 sounded the global alarm on climate change, has sent via Plan B a letter...
Plan B supports local declaration of climate emergency
Last week Plan B joined a delegation in support of a declaration of climate emergency by Southwark Council, the local government for an economically deprived part of inner city...
#NoToHeathrow trial over, “judgement reserved”
After a 7 day hearing, the #NoToHeathrow finally finished yesterday The court “reserved judgement” on all the cases, which means they’ve got some thinking to do and we don’t yet...
Heathrow trial underway
We’re now into the second week of “Heathrow on trial”. We’ll be making our final submissions just before lunch on Tuesday 19 March, Court 76, Royal Courts of Justice....
New amicus brief filed in critical US climate case
International Lawyers for International Law have today filed an amicus brief in support of a full hearing for the young claimants in their landmark climate case against the US Government....
Plan B files skeleton argument on Heathrow expansion
Plan B has filed its skeleton argument against Heathrow expansion, which will form the basis of its submissions at trial. The essence of its argument is simple. Chris Grayling,...
Court of Appeal refuses appeal on 2050 Target case
Sadly, the Court of Appeal has rejected our appeal to have our case heard on the 2050 Target. That’s now the end of the road for the appeal process....
15 January: Heathrow pre-trial review – Open Justice?
Already know the outcome of the Brexit vote on Tuesday? Looking for something of constitutional significance that’s going to be happening? Then join us for the pre-trial review...
Plan B Replies to Government’s Defence of Heathrow Expansion
On Friday, 21 December, Plan B filed with the High Court its Reply to the Government’s defence of its Heathrow plans. The Government argues that “[Plan B] is wrong...
Plan B launches crowd-fund to oppose Heathrow expansion
Plan B needs to cover its cost liability for taking a stand against the Government’s reckless plans to expand Heathrow Airport. We need an urgent and radical reduction of...
Energy Minister replies to Plan B: carbon budgets can be changed!
When the UK Government tasked the CCC with reviewing its climate commitments in line with the Paris Agreement and the IPCC Report, it was widely perceived as having precluded...
Plan B files amended grounds of claim against Heathrow expansion
Further to the order of Mr Justice Holgate, Plan B has now filed amended grounds of claim against Heathrow expansion, which conclude: Plan B can only speculate on whether...
Plan B writes to Energy Minister, Claire Perry, seeking urgent response
Today Plan B wrote to the Energy Minister, Claire Perry, seeking urgent clarification of her request for advice from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). Coming just a week...
As the fracking protesters show, a people’s rebellion is the only way to fight climate breakdown | George Monbiot
Do we trust our governments to steer us clear of #climatebreakdown? Or is it time to stand up against Gross Destruction of the Planet? Our politicians, under the influence...
Dutch appeals court upholds landmark climate case ruling
A Dutch court has upheld a landmark ruling that ordered Dutch authorities to cut the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 percent by 2020 from benchmark 1990...
Blow for Heathrow airport expansion as campaigners win legal fight over third runway | News | The Times
Plans for a third runway faced a setback today as a series of legal challenges against the project cleared a major hurdle. The High Court in London gave permission for five...
Heathrow expansion protesters gather outside High Court… | Daily Mail Online
Councils and environmental charities are challenge the UK Government´s decision to approve the construction of a third runway at the airport. Source: Heathrow expansion protesters gather outside High Court…...
British public supports urgent action and litigation on climate change – poll reveals | ClientEarth
A groundbreaking new ClientEarth opinion poll reveals that the British public wants urgent action on climate change. Source: British public supports urgent action and litigation on climate change –...
Climate case gets green light from European Union court
A lawsuit dubbed the People’s Climate Case, which challenges the European Union’s 2030 emissions reduction target and other climate policies, was given the green light by a court on Monday...
Plan B launches legal challenge to Heathrow expansion
Article on Businessgreen.com on Plan B’s legal action against the proposed expansion of Heathrow. Climate charity is bringing legal action against Transport Minister Chris Grayling, claiming the plans for...
Climate change campaign begins legal action against Heathrow expansion
Article on The Construction Index website on Plan B’s legal action against the proposed expansion of Heathrow. Climate change charity Plan B has started legal action against transport secretary...
Fresh legal action taken against Heathrow Airport expansion
Article on Edie.net on Plan B’s legal action against the proposed expansion of Heathrow. Climate change charity Plan B has initiated legal action against Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, in...
Councils pursue judicial review into Heathrow expansion | Public Finance
Article on the Public Finance website on the London Mayor’s legal challenge to the proposed expansion of Heathrow, with a mention of the case being brought by Plan B....
Plan B begins legal action against Heathrow expansion
Climate change charity Plan B, has started legal action against Transport Minister Chris Grayling over his plans for Heathrow expansion. Plan B say the proposal breaches legal obligations in...
UK insurers attacked over climate risk omissions | Financial Times
Three large UK insurance companies have been accused of failing to properly spell out the risks their businesses face from climate change, according to complaints filed with the Financial...
Supreme Court refuses to halt kids climate case
Article in Climate Liability News on how the Supreme Court denied the federal government’s request to halt discovery and the trial in the youth climate lawsuit Juliana v. United States. Justice Anthony Kennedy...
News from Caroline Russell: London MPs ‘got it wrong’ on Heathrow vote | London City Hall
Mayor Sadiq Khan agrees to meet with Plan B to discuss legal action against the Heathrow expansion The Mayor said London MPs who voted for Heathrow expansion were ‘wrong’...
While our weather was in chaos a court backed the government’s failing climate change policy | The Canary
Article in the Canary on the court decision about the Plan B case A campaign group which was trying to bring legal action against the government over its climate change policies...
Ninth Circuit court rejects latest administration attempt to stop climate suit
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a second petition filed by the Trump administration to short-circuit Juliana v. United States, the landmark climate suit filed by 21 young...
UK judge blocks suit seeking stronger emissions targets
Article on the Climate Liability News website on the judge’s decision about the Plan B court case. A group of citizens and the nonprofit Plan B say they will...
Net Zero: Judge blocks judicial review hearing for UK carbon target case
Article in Business Green on Today’s judgement Campaign group Plan B says it is ‘surprised and disappointed’ by decision and will lodge an appeal against High Court ruling Source:...
Climate campaigners lose high court battle over carbon target | Environment | The Guardian
Article in the Guardian, via the Press Association, on today’s judgement Charity had argued the government was in breach of international obligations under the Paris agreement Source: Climate campaigners...
Press Release 20th July 2018: High Court blocks path to full trial of climate change legal action
For immediate release High Court blocks path to full trial of climate change legal action The High Court ruled against climate charity Plan B today (20 July) in one...
New York City climate suit dismissed by federal judge
A federal judge ruled in favor of five major oil companies on Thursday, dismissing New York City’s climate liability lawsuit against them. Source: New York City climate suit dismissed...
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to halt kids climate case
In its latest desperate move to halt discovery and avoid an October trial, the federal government demands the Supreme Court upend the landmark climate case. Source: Trump administration asks...
UK politicians ‘failing to rise to the challenge of climate change’ | Environment | The Guardian
Government’s top climate adviser warns policymakers will be judged harshly by future generations if they don’t act now Source: UK politicians ‘failing to rise to the challenge of climate...
Hidden gem for Big Oil in carbon tax plan: an end to climate liability suits
Fossil fuel companies are backing a carbon tax plan that also says taxpayers can’t sue them for climate damages and rolls back environmental regulations. Source: Hidden gem for Big...
Trump administration files emergency appeal to thwart youth climate case
After its last-ditch appeal to the Ninth Circuit failed, the government tries again and says it will appeal for immediate relief to the Supreme Court. Source: Trump administration files...
UK judge postpones decision on landmark climate case
Article on the Climate Home News website reporting the postponed decision on Plan B’s court case The high court in London has postponed its decision on whether 11 citizens...
Net Zero: Judge postpones decision on UK carbon target case
Article on the Business Green website reporting on the postponement of decision on Plan B’s court case, 5th July 2018. Plan B Earth is seeking a judicial review of...
Press Release 5th July 2018: High Court postpones decision on whether climate case proceeds to full trial
View the Plan B press release here.
Netherlands proposes 95% emissions cut by 2050 in draft climate law
Under proposals backed by seven political parties across the spectrum, the Netherlands could set one of the most ambitious carbon targets in the world Source: Netherlands proposes 95% emissions...
Court action to save young from climate bill – BBC News
BBC News coverage ahead of Plan B’s court action on 4th July. Legal bid argues UK is discriminating against next generation by failing to cut CO2 emissions fast enough....
Press Release 4th July 2018: Historic legal challenge to hold UK government to account on climate change
For immediate release Historic legal challenge to hold UK government to account on climate change Download as a pdf here. The UK government is failing to honour its international...
Can climate litigation save the world? | Environment | The Guardian
Guardian article published the day Plan B first went to court Courts are a new front line of climate action with cases against governments and oil firms spiralling, and...
Ministers who fail to cut greenhouse gas emissions should face legal action, says former chief government scientist | The Independent
Ministers should face legal action unless they agree to cut greenhouse gases in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change, a former chief government scientist has said. The...
Caroline Lucas just threw her weight behind the mother of all court cases against the UK government | The Canary
Coverage of Caroline Lucas’ support for Plan B in The Canary, June 2018 Citizens are bringing legal action against the government with a climate charity called Plan B. They...
Top doctors back legal action against Government on… | Daily Mail Online
Coverage of Plan B in the Daily Mail in December 2017 The health professionals support campaign group Plan B´s legal challenge to force the Government to revise its 2050...
Rising tide of court cases threatens Shell’s polluting business model
New Internationalist article available here
Citizens Sue to Hold UK Government Accountable for Climate Goals
Climate Liability News article available here
We Need Not Be Spectators In the Climate Catastrophe
Common Dreams article available here
Top doctors back legal action against Government on carbon emissions
Daily Mail article available
Leading doctors back legal action to force UK government to cut carbon emissions
British Medical Journal Article available here
Theresa May’s government faces more court action, this time for allegedly breaking international law
The Canary article available here
Ministers should cut carbon emissions to ZERO by 2050 or face legal action, says UK’s former chief scientific adviser
Daily Mail article available here
Climate Change Concerns Prompt Court to Block Vienna Airport Expansion
Inside Climate News article available here
Judge allows youth constitutional climate rights case to move forward against state of WA and Gov. Inslee
Press release available here
Victory for America’s Youth – Constitutional Climate Lawsuit against U.S. to Proceed
Press release from Our Children’s trust available here
Cushing Residents Seek Class-Action Lawsuit Against Oil Companies Over Earthquakes
NPR article available here
In a loss for ExxonMobil, NY Supreme Court orders oil giant to produce climate documents
Washington Post article available here
Swiss Grannies launch legal challenge to demand stronger climate action
Greenpeace article available here
Norway faces climate lawsuit over Arctic oil exploration plans
Guardian article available here
First #ExxonKnew lawsuit filed against specific company facility
Mashable article available here
International court to prosecute environmental crimes in major shift
Thomson Reuters article available here
Oil majors summoned to Philippines human rights inquiry
Climate Change news article available here
In Kenya, companies now liable for climate change damages
Thomson Reuters article available here
China punishes officials over sewage in first environmental case of its kind
Guardian article available here
Youth Win Climate Case Against Massachusetts in State’s High Court
Inside Climate News article available here
Exxon’s Legal Woes Over Climate Change Just Got a New Twist
Inside Climate News article available here
Exxon scrambles to contain climate crusade
Politico article available here
Youths Secure Second Win In Washington State Climate Lawsuit
Western Environmental Law Center available here
Judge Denies Motions by Fossil Fuel Industry and Federal Government in Landmark Climate Change Case
EcoWatch article available here
Seven-Year-Old Pakistani Latest To Sue Government Over Climate Inaction
New Matilda article available here
Exxon’s Oil Industry Peers Knew About Climate Dangers in the 1970s, Too
Inside Climate News article available here
Philippines takes up complaint of human rights violations by oil firms
Reuters article available here
A Peruvian farmer is suing an energy giant over climate change
The Verge article available here
Farmer sues Pakistan’s government to demand action on climate change
Reuters article available here
Law graduate sues Government over emissions targets
New Zealand Herald article available here
Dutch government ordered to cut carbon emissions in landmark ruling
Guardian article available here
Former Chief Scientist backs Plan B Legal Action
Independent article available here