A Dutch court in The Hague ruled on Wednesday that the Netherlands discriminated against the people of Bonaire, a vulnerable Caribbean island, by not helping them adapt to climate change. The court ordered the Dutch government to create a proper climate adaptation plan for Bonaire and set tougher national greenhouse gas targets. The lawsuit was filed in early 2024 by Bonaire residents with Greenpeace Nederland. While complaints from individuals were rejected, Greenpeace's claim was accepted. Jackie Bernabela, one of the claimants, said, "They really listened to us." She highlighted how climate change affects daily life on the island and called for unity among Caribbean islands. The court found the government violated articles 8 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect privacy and forbid discrimination. Bonaire, a Dutch special municipality since 2010, faces serious risks like sea-level rise and extreme heat, but its local authorities lack the resources and knowledge to address these issues fully. The court also said the Netherlands is not doing enough to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. It ordered the government to develop a clear adaptation plan and set a six-month deadline to establish a transparent carbon budget aligned with a 1.5°C global warming limit. Legally binding interim targets to reduce emissions must also be created. The Dutch government admits Bonaire is at risk but claimed it does more to cut emissions than many countries. The court disagreed, citing international agreements that countries must act according to their ability and historical emissions. Greenpeace climate expert Eefje de Kroon called the ruling "an incredible victory for the people in Bonaire," noting the recognition of climate discrimination. Bernabela said, "The Netherlands are engineers number one in the world, especially in water management – but they have no plan for us," adding that Bonaire feels like "second-class citizens." This ruling builds on a similar landmark Dutch court decision from over a decade ago which forced the government to cut emissions by 25%. Greenpeace also referenced recent international court opinions affirming state duties to address climate change. Dutch Climate Minister Sophie Hermans called the ruling "of significance for the residents of Bonaire and the European Netherlands". She and other ministers will study the decision. The ruling can be appealed.