Friends of the Earth is launching the appeal alongside two people whose lives have already been severely impacted by the climate crisis: 

• Kevin Jordan, whose home in Hemsby, Norfolk was demolished in December 2023 after coastal erosion, fuelled by sea level rise and severe storms caused by climate change, left it in danger of falling into the sea.  

• Disability activist Doug Paulley, who has a number of health conditions which are being exacerbated by searing summer temperatures. He's concerned that the government’s current adaptation plans fail to consider the needs of disabled people – particularly in places such as care homes – putting him and others at risk.   

Friends of the Earth and the co-claimants argued that the current National Adaptation Programme (NAP), introduced by the previous government in July 2023, falls far short of what's legally required, with marginalised groups – such as older and disabled people – and those living in areas most exposed to rising global temperatures, disproportionately affected by the impacts of extreme weather and a deficient national adaptation programme.