Norfolk man who lost home to coastal erosion to be heard by High Court

Kevin Jordan has challenged government's climate action plan.

Kevin Jordan lived on The Marrams for 14 years
Author: Shaunna BurnsPublished 11th Apr 2024

A Norfolk man who lost his home to coastal erosion is set to be heard by the High Court, after challenging the Government's Climate Action Plan,

Kevin Jordan is one of two joining with 'Save Hemsby Coastline' and 'Friends of the Earth' to argue the current plans are "unlawful".

A High Court judge has ordered a judicial review of the government’s plan for protecting people, property and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change following a legal challenge by Friends of the Earth and two people whose lives are already severely impacted by the climate crisis.

The claimants filed their legal challenge at the High Court on Tuesday 17 October, requesting a judicial review of the government’s National Adaptation Programme.

They argue this plan falls short and is unlawful on the grounds that it breaches the Climate Change Act for failing to set out lawful ‘adaptation objectives’, and publish an assessment of the risks of it's plans and policies.

The case, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, also asked the court to rule that the national plan breaches the human rights of Mr Jordan by failing to protect lives, homes and property from foreseeable impacts of the climate change.

Kevin Jordan, said:

“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 countr

“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.”

What has the Government said?

"The third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) sets out a strategic five-year plan to boost resilience and protect people, homes, businesses and our cultural heritage against climate change risks.

"It builds on the significant investment in adaptation measures, including £5.2 billion in flood and coastal schemes in England, over £750 million for the Nature for Climate Fund, and £80 million for the Green Recovery Challenge Fund - all of which play a crucial role in enhancing the UK’s resilience to climate change."

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