UK not to appeal ruling that net-zero strategy is unlawful

The UK government has confirmed that it will not pursue an appeal against a High Court ruling that its net-zero strategy is unlawful. In July, the High Court ruled that the UK had not sufficiently quantified the impact of its decarbonisation policies. Ministers had initially indicated that they would appeal but have now confirmed in a letter to the court and the parties involved in the case (Friends of the Earth, the Good Law Project and Client Earth) that they will not do so. The UK has until the end of March 2023 to come up with a revised net-zero strategy that shows how its legally binding climate targets will be met. Katie de Kauwe, Friends of the Earth’s lawyer, said: “The government’s decision not to appeal is welcome news. Ministers must now focus their energies on the action and detailed policies needed to address the climate crisis.”