A Duty to Care? Prospects for Climate Change Liability in the English Courts

‘…the possibility of damages for those whose interests Urgenda represents, including current and future generations of Dutch nationals, is so great and concrete that given its duty of care, the state must make an adequate contribution, greater than its current contribution, to prevent hazardous climate change.’ Hague District Court, June 23rd, 2015.

In light of the above landmark ruling - which found the Dutch government owed a duty of care to its citizens over action to mitigate climate change - critically evaluate the chances and possible outcomes of bringing a similar action in the English courts, with particular reference to locus standi under tort, public and international law.