A group of families from around the world have banded together to take the European Union to court over its failure to protect them from climate change.

They have called the current emissions target inadequate, as they say it will allow high levels of these harmful greenhouse gases to continue until 2030.

Dubbed the “People’s Climate Case”, the participants hope their action will overturn three EU emission regulation acts that have recently been approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.

The Independent in the UK reports that the 10 families include representatives from Portugal, Germany, France, Italy, Romania and Sweden, as well as Kenya and Fiji.

Within their numbers are young children and representatives from Sweden’s indigenous Sami community, whose livelihoods are at particular risk due to the effects of climate change.

The group has stated that it is already impacting their livelihoods, homes and culture.

Europeans in areas like France and Portugal have been struck by heatwaves that have been linked with climate change, which have taken their toll on local farmers in particular.

Developing countries such as Fiji and Kenya have been struck by an increase in extreme weather events like cyclones and droughts, which scientists are able to attribute to climate change with increased confidence.

Source : www.independent.co.uk