“Despite pressure from parliament, the Dutch government refuses to pull appeal in landmark climate case”, 29 Sep 2015

Despite calls from top scientists, lawyers, citizens, companies and the almost 900 co-plaintiffs, the Dutch government declined to pull the appeal against the historic verdict in the Dutch climate case…In a debate last Thursday several parliamentary groups urged the government to allow a fast-track procedure that would have led the case straight to the Supreme Court, saving precious time and money…The government argued against the motion because it wanted to be able to also challenge facts upon which the verdict is based…A group of leading international scientists, lawyers, doctors and scholars working in the climate field sent an open letter to the Dutch Prime Minister and Vice Prime Minister, acknowledging their right to appeal, but respectfully asking them not to...If Urgenda wins the case at the Supreme Court (which can take 2-3 years), the Dutch government would still have to reach 25% reduction at the end of 2020, so waiting is not an option…The government will now formulate the grounds of its appeal, which it is not expected to file before early next year…A verdict is not expected before the end of 2016...