Rise in biodiversity litigation: Key takeaways from Portugal’s recent case for aviation

Keywords: Action, Nature, Newsroom

Biodiversity litigation, also known as nature litigation, is on the rise, and a recent case in Portugal offers critical insights for the aviation industry:

Key Decision

  • A lawsuit successfully halted plans to construct a new airport on the Tagus Estuary, Portugal’s crucial wetland and a vital sanctuary for millions of migratory birds.
  • Authorities are now considering an alternative location for the airport.

Important Takeaways

  1. Legal and Judicial Awareness: This case highlights a growing recognition of biodiversity and ecosystem importance, increasing nature liability risks across various sectors.
  2. Decision-Making Evolution: The success of this lawsuit underscores the need for decision-makers to prioritize environmentally friendly alternatives from the outset.
  3. Nature and Climate Risk Interaction: As Lisbon explores a new airport location, the case illustrates how biodiversity and climate concerns are increasingly intertwined, with climate impact arguments already surfacing.

Source: Press Release