1 euro. Getty Image Bank
The Paris Administrative Court in France ruled that the French government should be responsible for the ecological damage caused by the poor response to the climate crisis. In addition, the environmental groups that filed the lawsuit were ordered to recognize mental damage and compensate 1 euro (about 1,340 won per 4 days) in symbolic meaning. The historical results of the lawsuit, in which 2.3 million people signed up online, have great implications for ongoing climate lawsuits around the world, including Korea. The Paris Administrative Court, France, filed for damages against the government in March 2019 by four non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Greenpeace France, Oxfam France, and the Foundation for All of Us, Nature and People on the 4th (3rd local time). In the claim lawsuit, it was determined that the French government recognized responsibility for failing to meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets. The court ruled to compensate for the ecological damage caused by this, and ordered the government to investigate an additional two months to determine how to recover the damage. International environmental groups such as Greenpeace welcomed the results of the lawsuit and said, “If the state does not fulfill its promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it will be held responsible for some of the damages.” Regarding the 1 euro compensation order, he said, “The government has recognized the right to claim damages for ecological damage caused by not meeting the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” “Today’s ruling is a historical victory,” said Cecil Duplo, representative of Oxfam France. It will be an important precedent for legal purposes. “It will be the basis for people affected by the climate crisis to claim their rights.”
The Paris Administrative Court, France, filed for damages against the government in March 2019 by four non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Greenpeace France, Oxfam France, and the Foundation for All of Us, Nature and People on the 4th (3rd local time). In the claim lawsuit, it was determined that the French government recognized responsibility for failing to meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets. Provided by Greenpeace France
This lawsuit was signed by 2.3 million people online, and the purpose of the lawsuit was also published in Korea. Climate Solutions attorney Yoon Se-jong said, “The state has caused ecological damage inflicted on the environment itself due to inadequate measures, and the state has to compensate in the form of ecological damage restoration,” he said. There are rulings around the world calling for the government’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. In 2019, the Dutch Supreme Court ruled that “the Dutch government should reduce greenhouse gases by 25% compared to 1990” after 7 years of lawsuit. The lawsuit could also affect Korea’s climate lawsuit. In March of last year, Korean youth climate action youths also filed a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court, claiming that the Korean government has not responded to the climate crisis and is violating basic rights. Currently, opinions from the youth and the government have been received and discussion is underway. By Choi Woo-ri, staff reporter [email protected]