A Brussels court has declared that Belgium has violated rights protected under civil law, and breached the European Convention on Human Rights. The court found that the government had not adequately met its climate-related targets and as a result has not behaved as “generally prudent and diligent authorities.” This was deemed as an offense that endangered the human rights of its own citizens.

The verdict followed a six-year legal battle that was first initiated by the non-profit group; Klimaatzak. The group represented over 58,000 citizens in their action against the government, all of whom had a personal interest in the case. Chairman of Klimaatzaak, Serge de Gheldere, stated that the judgment was historic and was “the first time it is recognized that we are in direct, personal, and real danger.”

According to The Guardian, Belgian authorities have breached both Article 2 and Article 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Those being: the right to life (Article 2), as well as the right to respect for private and family life (Article 8). These human rights abuses came as a result of the government not taking all necessary measures to prevent the detrimental effects of climate change. The victory of this ruling highlights the importance of climate change mitigation efforts in regional and international politics.

The climate crisis is a worldwide threat, endangering many peoples and communities. Carbon emissions have been proven to result in the warming of the earth’s atmosphere, resulting in rising sea levels and creating intense and unpredictable weather patterns, such as droughts and storms. Regional and international policies of emission controls and reductions are important and necessary ways forward to safeguard people from the increasing dangers and threat of climate change.

However, the Klimaatzak group was not satisfied with the court’s final ruling because it doesn’t provide measures to punish the Belgian government for negligence or attempt to resolve failures in the existing climate change policy. The environmental organization wanted the courts to enforce new climate change laws for the Belgian state ─ on track to miss its emission reduction targets for 2030. The court refused to impose punishments or recommend new policies because of its position as to the separation of powers.

Klimaatzaak hoped for reduction targets of 55 percent fewer emissions compared to 1990 by 2030, as well as punishments for the government’s lack of care for climate change efforts. Nevertheless, the court ruling is a victory because it highlights the very real dangers that many people face due to climate change. The decision of the Belgian court reflects the responsibility of the state to protect its citizens from climate change-related issues and is a positive step towards increased efforts at emission reduction.