Government Faces Lawsuit from Victim of Coastal Erosion

In a groundbreaking move following the recent European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) climate change ruling, Kevin Jordan, a 70-year-old former marine engineer, is taking legal action against the government. Jordan, along with another Briton, asserts that their human rights were infringed due to the government's failure to safeguard them from the impacts of climate change.

 

Kevin Jordan's story is emblematic of the challenges posed by coastal erosion. His cherished chalet bungalow in Hemsby, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, was demolished last December after years of relentless erosion accelerated by climate change. Jordan, now residing in local authority housing, laments the loss of his home and the transformation of his once picturesque sea views into a view of passing cars.

 

With the support of Friends of the Earth, Kevin Jordan is pursuing legal recourse, contending that the government's inaction violates section 6 of the Human Rights Act, which prohibits "unlawful" policies by public authorities that undermine individuals' rights. His decision to litigate stemmed from his involvement with the Save Hemsby Coastline campaign group, for which he serves as a trustee. Local fundraising efforts have enabled him to pursue this legal battle.

 

The significance of Jordan's case is underscored by the broader implications for climate change policy. The government's National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) aims to mitigate climate change risks, including coastal erosion. However, Friends of the Earth argues that the program falls short of its objectives and breaches the Climate Change Act, which mandates reductions in CO2 emissions.

 

Will Rundle, head of legal at Friends of the Earth, stresses the importance of the recent ECHR judgment and its potential impact on their legal challenge. This sentiment resonates with Doug Paulley, another individual taking legal action over the government's failure to address climate change adequately. Paulley, who suffers from health conditions exacerbated by rising temperatures, joins Jordan in seeking justice for the violation of their human rights.

 

The parallels between these cases and the recent ECHR ruling in Switzerland, where elderly women successfully challenged the government's climate change response, highlight the global significance of climate litigation. As individuals like Kevin Jordan and Doug Paulley seek accountability, they not only demand justice for themselves but also advocate for systemic change to address the existential threat of climate change.

 

E&K Solicitors

Rusholme