A Dutch court has ordered its own government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at a faster rate than it’s planning to do.<br /><br /> A judge in The Hague said that by 2020, Dutch emissions had to be 25 percent lower than 1990 levels.<br /><br /> The government plans cuts of only 14-17 percent. <br /><br /> There were cheers at the decision from campaigners who had brought the action on behalf of hundreds of Dutch citizens. <br /><br /> The case is said to be the world’s first climate liability suit.<br /><br /> The low-lying Netherlands is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.<br /><br /> The ruling said the country had to take a lead and could not hide behind arguments that an international response was needed.<br /><br /> But it is not clear how the decision will be enforced and the government can appeal.<br /><br /> The EU has set a reduction target of 40 percent in carbon emissions by 2030.<br /><br /> A major global conference on climate change is due to take place later this year in Paris.
