Climate Case Ireland

The decision, marking the first time Irish courts held the government accountable for climate inaction, was acclaimed as a turning point and was internationally noted.

The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, David R. Boyd, called the case "a landmark decision" which "sets a precedent for courts around the world to follow".

[7] The chair of the Council, Professor John Fitzgerald, commented that the Plan contained "few decisions" and would not be enough to meet Ireland's national transition objective.

[8] The case was brought by environmental activist group Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE), a non-profit company limited by guarantee and a registered charity in Ireland.

[9] FIE was inspired to bring the action by other global climate cases, including Netherlands v Urgenda and Juliana v. United States.

FIE noted that an even greater reduction would be necessary to meet the aim of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.

The High Court found that the Plan was not ultra vires the 2015 Climate Act, noting the "considerable margin of discretion" enjoyed by the government.

[13] The Supreme Court composition was seven judges: Clarke CJ, Irvine P, O'Donnell J, MacMenamin J, Dunne J, O'Malley J and Baker J.

[15] The Supreme Court had quashed the Plan, finding it to be ultra vires the government because it did not conform with the requirement of the 2015 Climate Act as it did not provide specific details as to how the national transition objective would be achieved.

He explained that the Plan should have sufficient information to enable an interested member of the public to understand and assess how the government intends to meet its climate objectives.

[25] The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, David R. Boyd, called the case "a landmark decision" which "sets a precedent for courts around the world to follow".