The analysis applies the best available science to recent international, regional and national jurisprudence.
States have duties to exercise stringent due diligence to prevent significant harm to the climate, protect human rights and—under Paris Art. 5—keep fossil fuels in the ground. 2/3
This all requires States to act on known risks and take all reasonable measures in their power. Approval of new projects fails that test: existing reserves exceed remaining carbon budgets, and these projects are unnecessary to meet energy needs, instead generating vast harms. 3/3
Courts worldwide are increasingly being asked to set limits on government support for fossil fuels to keep the public safe.
In this blog I argue that State approval of new fossil fuel projects is incompatible with international law, and I examine what this means for upcoming cases. 1/3
