Wow, major #ClimateLitigation judgement in Germany. The highest court says irreversibly postponing "high emission reduction burdens to periods after 2030" is unconstitutional, striking down (in part) the landmark climate mitigation law of the current coalition.

In order to preserve constitutionally secured freedom, the legislature should have made provisions "to mitigate these high burdens". Seems to be an interesting ground for judgement on the first glance as the duty to mitigate is not derived from international goals/treaties.

I think those grounds may be even more important than striking down the law, as this would have been changed after the Greens very likely entering, or leading government in autumns elections anyway. The court also set a very short deadline to comply - by the end of the year.

Claimants were @FridayForFuture, with good support. They say this judgement flipped the table, as the government now has to state their reasons for not wanting to mitigate fast, instead of activists being asked why they want faster reductions.

The climate protection act from 2019 did write a -55% reduction of greenhouse gases from 1990-2030 and climate neutrality from 2050 onwards into law. This had already become unbearable by recent EU Green Deal proposals, with the burden sharing yet to be carved out.

I have to say, I am surprised. A good day