By the Aarhus Convention, the state parties recognised the importance of citizens having access to environmental information and access to environmental justice. Indeed, public interest judicial reviews brought by individuals and campaigning organisations are fundamental to upholding environmental standards. In this episode, Stephen Tromans KC and Steph David discuss how to formulate a public interest environmental judicial review and the role of the Paris Agreement in these challenges. Resources: (1) R (Friends of the Earth) v Heathrow Airport [2020] UKSC 52 (“Heathrow Case”); and (2) R (Friends of the Earth) v Secretary of State for International Trade/ UK Export Finance [2023] EWCA Civ 14 (“Mozambique Investment Case”)

Last year, the Net Zero Plan was found to be unlawful by Holgate J. On 30 March 2023, what has been dubbed “Green day”, the Government published its Net Zero Growth Plan alongside a suite of policy documents and consultations. In this episode, Stephen Tromans KC and Steph David discuss the Net Zero Growth Plan and the risks of legal challenge. Resources: (1) Net Zero Growth Plan and linked documents can be accessed here; and (2) R (Friends of the Earth and Others) v Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy [2022] EWHC 1841 (admin) (“Net Zero Case”)