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A Dutch court has ordered the government to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least a quarter by 2020. This was, "to ensure that the Dutch emissions in the year 2020 will be at least 25 per cent lower than those in 1990." Environmentalists hope others will follow Holland's example and reduce emissions. A Dutch member of the European Parliament said: "This historic ruling will have far reaching consequences in the Netherlands, Europe and the rest of the world." Bill Hare of Climate Analytics agreed. He said: "This could be the first judicial warning shot to governments around the world."

The ruling came after 900 Dutch citizens took legal action against the Dutch government. Holland was far behind many other countries in cutting CO2 emissions. It was on target for a 14 to 17 per cent reduction by 2020. The court said this was unacceptable and embarrassing for a country as developed and progressive as Holland. The Dutch government must now do more work to finish existing plans to close coal plants, increase the use of windmills, use more solar energy, and develop other renewables. It must also cut the amount of gas it takes out of the ground.