Young People v. UK Government

In Young People v. UK Government, Adetola Onamade, Marina Tricks, and Jerry Amokwandoh, along with climate advocacy organizations, brought proceedings against several members of the United Kingdom Government for its failure to follow the Paris Agreement. Onamade, Tricks, and Amokwandoh specifically allege that the UK Government has violated their rights to life and family life. The case is part of a broader wave of climate litigation, most being brought by young claimants. This is an ongoing case awaiting government response.

Background
The Paris Agreement in 2015 requires rapid reduction of emissions, preparation for effects of climate change, limiting global temperature rise at below 1.5°C, and for countries like the UK with historically higher emissions to support the Global South. The claimants argue that the UK has failed to meet these measures and the UK government admitted in March 2021 that they had "no plan" lined up to reach the Paris Agreement goals. The climate litigation group Plan B and the Stop The Maangamizi Campaign helped bring the charges.

Onamade, Tricks, and Amokwandoh, all in their early twenties and who have families in the Global South, feel that the non-action by the UK Government has violated their human rights to life and family life under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In the claim, the three declare they are seeking admission from the UK Government that they have violated human rights and an order from the Court to establish legislation that will meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Relevant Law and Prinicples

 * Paris Agreement
 * European Convention on Human Rights
 * Article 2
 * Article 8
 * Article 14

Status
Papers were served on May 1, 2021. The Government has 21 days to respond to the Claim, then The High Court must decide whether or not there will be a full hearing. The Government has yet to respond.

Takeaways
Young People v. UK Government joins a global effort of young people to hold governments accountable for climate change action. The claimants make an important appeal to relevant human rights law and also introduce an international policy component. The case will be impactful not only for the UK but also for countries in the Global South for which the Paris Agreement must provide help.

Links

 * Plan B
 * Stop the Maangamizi Campaign
 * Full Claim