Two people whose lives are already severely affected by climate change crisis are going to court over the government’s plans to protect lives, property and infrastructure.

A High Court judge has ordered a judicial review of the National Adaptation Programme, which reviews the risks and opportunities of climate change.

In making his order, Mr Justice Sheldon said the issues raised by the case were of “considerable public importance”.

The case been brought by three claimants:

• Disability activist Doug Paulley, who has health conditions which are being exacerbated by rising summer temperatures
• Kevin Jordan, who was made homeless last year after his Norfolk house was demolished because of coastal erosion
• Friends of the Earth, which argues that the adaptation programme is not fit for purpose and must be improved.

It will be heard on 18-19 June at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

There are similarities between the challenge and a case won by a group of older Swiss women at the European Court of Human Rights this week. They successfully argued that the lack of action on climate change by their government had violated their human rights.

Friends of the Earth said its case also dealt with deficient state action on climate and the adverse impact on health and human rights.

Last month the Climate Change Committee said the government’s national adaptation programme fell “far short of what is required”.

Kevin Jordan, said today:

“This country is completely under-prepared for the impacts of climate change, and the threat it poses to the homes, lives and livelihoods of thousands of people across the country.

“When I bought my house 14 years ago, I was told it would be safe for about another 100 years. It wasn’t. I may have lost my home to climate change, but the fight goes on.

 “I hope this legal challenge forces the government to draw up a more ambitious and effective climate adaptation plans that better protect us all.”

 Doug Paulley said: 

“Climate change is a major threat to us all, but the government must also recognise that disabled communities are disproportionately affected and often have additional support needs when a crisis hits. 

“Many people like me who lived in a care home during the Covid pandemic will have experienced the fear and helplessness of feeling abandoned in a crisis. We mustn’t let this happen with climate change.

“I’m delighted the High Court will hear our legal challenge. The government’s climate adaption plan must be revised to better protect everyone, especially those in the most vulnerable situations, from the impacts of the growing climate crisis.”

Friends of the Earth campaigner, Alison Dilworth, said:

“The government’s adaptation programme – which should be a plan to protect us all from the accelerating impacts of the climate crisis – is completely inadequate and puts people’s lives at risk.

 “We know the most marginalised communities, including disabled people, are most at risk and largely excluded from planning and preparedness work.

 “We hope our legal challenge will lead to a robust new plan that helps safeguard people, property.”

Friends of the Earth was in court in February 2024 to argue for a second time that the government’s decarbonisation plans were inadequate and in breach of the Climate Change Act 2008.

DrillOrDrop has closed the comments section on this and future articles. We are doing this because of the risk of liability for copyright infringement in comments. We still want to hear about your reaction to DrillOrDrop articles. You can contact us by clicking here.