When: 24 September 2025
Where: General Court of the European Union, Luxembourg
Who: GLAN and CAN Europe against the European Commission
What is the hearing about?
Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe have filed a case before the EU General Court against the European Commission over its greenhouse gas emissions allocations for 2021–2030, set under the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR).
The NGOs argue that the Commission’s annual emissions allocations (AEAs) – adopted in 2023 – are far below what is required under EU law, the Paris Agreement, and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. NGOs say the targets fail to ensure the EU does its fair share to keep global warming to 1.5°C.
What do the applicants want from this case?
The case seeks annulment of the Commission’s rejection of an internal review request and demands that the Commission takes all necessary steps to rectify the contravention to environmental law, resulting in increased efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 beyond the currently enshrined targets.
Quotes
- “International and regional courts have consistently affirmed that rich countries are obligated to cut their greenhouse gas emissions as rapidly as possible. The EU’s emissions targets don’t go nearly as far as this. We’re taking the European Commission to court to confirm that EU law also obliges Member States to do their utmost to reduce their emissions,” said Gerry Liston, Senior Lawyer with GLAN.
- “This case is not about technicalities, but about focusing on the core argument: that the EU’s 2030 climate targets lack the ambition needed to address the climate crisis. We need EU courts to scrutinise the adequacy of the EU’s climate targets and ensure that they align with obligations on human rights and environmental protection– something that has so far been denied,” said Chiara Martinelli, Director of CAN Europe.
A ruling is expected in the first half of 2026.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Background
- The Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) covers around 60% of EU greenhouse gas emissions, including from transport, buildings, agriculture, and waste.
- In 2023, the Commission adopted Implementing Decision 2023/1319, setting AEAs for each Member State. GLAN and CAN Europe argue these allocations lock in dangerously insufficient reductions.
- The case is made possible under the revised Aarhus Regulation (2021), which grants NGOs the right to request internal reviews and challenge EU institutions on environmental decisions.
More information in this media briefing.
Legal case – timeline
- August 2023 – NGOs filed an internal review request.
- December 2023 – Commission rejected the request.
- February 2024 – NGOs lodged the case before the General Court in Luxembourg.
- May 2024 – The case is given priority by the General Court
- Applicants argue the Commission failed to:
- Assess what reductions are required globally to hold warming to 1.5°C;
- Determine the EU’s fair share of that effort;
- Evaluate what deeper reductions are feasible domestically;
- Consider the impact of climate change on fundamental rights.
About the applicants
Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) is a U.K.-based legal non-profit organisation with offices in the U.K. and Ireland. GLAN works with affected communities to pursue innovative legal actions across borders to challenge powerful actors involved in human rights violations and systemic injustice.
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe’s leading NGO coalition on climate and energy, with over 200 member organisations in more than 40 European countries, representing over 40 million citizens.
For media inquiries and further questions, please contact: Cristina Dascalu, communications, cristina . dascalu@caneurope.org
