Press release

New court-ordered climate plan must deliver - say lawyers who took government to court

29/10/2025

The UK Government has today published its revised climate plan, following two successful legal challenges in as many years brought by ClientEarth, Friends of the Earth and Good Law Project. 

In May 2024, the High Court ruled that the Government’s climate plan – the Carbon Budget Delivery Plan – was unlawful, breaching the Climate Change Act, and required Ministers to go back to the drawing board. Today’s plan represents the Government’s response to that ruling. 

The revised plan should redress previous shortcomings in evidencing how policies will meet UK’s legally binding carbon budgets. The organisations say it’s an important moment for climate accountability in the UK. 

“Twice ministers have failed to demonstrate how policies will deliver on the UK’s climate pledges. We hope the new plan offers greater credibility, is rooted in evidence, and capitalises on the opportunity to improve the lives of people living in the UK”, said Kyle Lischak, Head of UK at ClientEarth. 

“Security and prosperity will only endure when policy aligns with nature, not against it. We’re proud that the legacy of our work on this climate plan is one of holding Westminster to its word. We will continue our dialogue with the Government as we assess how the new plan meets the UK’s climate commitments.” 

The Climate Change Act provides a legal framework that was enacted by Parliament in 2008 to deliver the UK’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and international law.  

"This new plan exists because people and organisations stood up for the rule of law and demanded honesty about how the UK intends to meet its climate commitments; the law enables the courts and the public to ensure promises are backed by credible action.” added Lischak.  

“The progress we are making in holding governments to account under the Climate Change Act delivers real scrutiny, better information for Parliament and the public, and stronger expectations of government”. 

"Arriving just ahead of COP30, and the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement this is a chance to show climate leadership on the global stage.”  

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  • The government has today announced the revised Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan

  • In May 2024, the High Court ruled that the Government’s Carbon Budget Delivery Plan was unlawful following legal challenges by Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth, and Good Law Project. 

  • The court found Ministers had been given incomplete and overly optimistic information about emissions cuts and ordered the Government to produce a revised plan within 12 months. 

  • The UK’s independent Climate Change Committee has previously warned that the UK remains off track to meet its upcoming carbon budgets and 2030 target. 

  • The Climate Change Act sets legally binding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the UK by 100% by 2050, from 1990 levels. The UK was the first country to pass such a law, which became an Act of Parliament in 2008.   

About ClientEarth

ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for – and with – its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. ClientEarth teams in Europe, Asia and the USA work to shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.