The lawsuit in which everyone wins
Belgium is failing to meet its international climate obligations. The non-profit organisation Klimaatzaak (Dutch for Climate Case; Affaire Climat in French) aims to change this through legal action. To compel a more ambitious climate policy, 58,586 citizens have brought proceedings against the four competent Belgian authorities. They won both in the first instance and on appeal, but the Flemish government lodged an appeal in the Court of Cassation (the Belgian Supreme Court). You can find everything you need to know about the court case here.
Flanders appeals to the Court of Cassation
After ten long years of litigation, the Flemish government remains the only party to continue fighting. Instead of finally getting to work on the much-needed climate transition, Flanders has chosen to prolong the court case. This time by lodging an appeal in cassation. According to Flanders, the reduction target of 55% by 2030 is unachievable and unaffordable, and there is no support for a more ambitious climate policy. However, the facts show the opposite.
Klimaatzaak wins on appeal too!
We won, you won! On 30 November 2023, our country made history. On that day, the Brussels Court of Appeal definitively put an end to our governments' faltering climate policy. And in doing so, it immediately stipulated the extent to which they must reduce Belgian emissions in order to prevent dangerous climate change. Winning is just the beginning. The judges have definitively settled the debate about “what” needs to be done. Now the ball is back in the politicians’ court, who must decide on the “how”. Get to work, dear ministers!
Support Klimaatzaak
Flanders continues to drag out the legal proceedings. Help us keep going! You can no longer join the lawsuit, but you can still support us morally and financially.
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Give our lawsuit every chance of success
Our legal and other costs are fully funded by donations. For the price of one coffee per month, you too can help our legal case move forward.
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Why should I support this citizen action?
Support our action if, like us, you are concerned about the future of our planet. We are asking the Belgian authorities to take the necessary measures to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our country. This must be done now in order to achieve a low-carbon society by 2050.
THE COURT CASE
Is this an attack against this government?
No. On the contrary. Klimaatzaak wants to be a vehicle, an activator for sustainable social and political change. We are not using this legal remedy against a minister or a government, but out of love for society and for the climate. Not against, but for. Together, if possible.