Portuguese Environmental Groups File Legal Action Over Climate Inaction

Environmental activism in Portugal has taken a legal turn as three prominent groups – Ultimo Recurso, Quercus, and Sciaena – have initiated a lawsuit against the government for its alleged failure to implement its climate change policies. This legal action, filed in a Lisbon court, highlights a growing trend of environmentalists seeking judicial recourse to enforce climate commitments.

Source: Al Jazeera English/YouTube

In 2021, Portugal set forth a series of regulations and legal instruments aimed at combating climate change. However, according to the environmental groups, the government has made “little progress” in adhering to its own goals and deadlines. Key concerns raised include the absence of a citizen-accessible portal to track regulatory status and the failure to publish a carbon budget that would set a CO2 emissions cap.

These groups also pointed out the government’s incomplete implementation of its national energy and climate plan (PNEC) and sector-specific policies for climate mitigation. Despite the government’s announcement in June that it is reviewing the PNEC and aims to produce 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2026, the groups argue that immediate action is crucial to prevent catastrophic climate events.

The move by Portuguese activists reflects a global surge in climate litigation. Over the past five years, the number of climate-related court cases has more than doubled, with activists targeting governments and fossil fuel companies alike. According to a 2023 report by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), these efforts are bearing fruit, with over half of the cases resulting in rulings favoring stronger climate action.

This lawsuit in Portugal underscores the urgency felt by environmentalists worldwide. As Francisca Costa from Ultimo Recurso emphasizes, the failure to meet climate deadlines increases the risk of severe climate events. The case represents a growing determination among activists to hold governments accountable for their climate promises, using the legal system as a vital tool in the fight against climate change.

There’s Only One Green Planet by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• Teens Taking Climate Fight to European Courts
• EPA Faces Lawsuit Over Nitrogen Pollution Risk
• Planet Green Files $500 Million Lawsuit Against Amazon
• How Lawsuits Are Helping Tackle the Climate Crisis
• 3M to Pay $10.3B to Settle Forever Chemicals Drinking Water Lawsuits

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!