Australia: Court overturns teenagers’ climate change case against the government

 Australia’s Federal Court has overturned a case ruling against Australian government that said it had a duty to protect children from the harmful impact of climate change. Last year, an 87-year-old nun and eight teenagers had convinced an Australian court that the government was legally bounded by its duty to protect children from the long-term impact of fossil fuel projects and that it must keep that duty at the forefront while assessing these projects. The decision that was celebrated globally as a milestone win for environment activists and advocates was later challenged successfully by the environment minister of Australia.

The teenagers can, however, still take the case to the highest court in Australia. The case filed by these children last year was an attempt to stop the expansion of the Vickery coal mine in New South Wales. This new mine is projected to add on an extra 170 million tonnes of fossil fuel emissions to the already burdened environment.

“Today’s ruling leaves us devastated, but it will not deter us in our fight for climate justice,” said 17-year-old Anjali Sharma, in a statement released by their lawyers. “This case demonstrates that young people are determined to be heard on this issue at the highest levels.”

Related Posts

Ruling their decision on Tuesday, the three Federal Court judges unanimously supported Environment Minister Sussan Ley, but with different reasons. Chief Justice James Allsop said elected officials must decide on policy matters. However, he stressed that there was “no dispute” that climate change itself caused harm. Justice Michael Wheelahan said there was an “incoherence between the law and the minister’s obligations to rule that she had a duty of care”. Justice Jonathan Beach said there was not “sufficient closeness or directness” between the decision by the minister and “any reasonably foreseeable harm from the mine”.

Another student linked to the case, 15-year-old Izzy Raj-Seppings, said, “While today’s judgment did not go our way, there is still much to celebrate. The court accepted that young people will bear the brunt of the impacts of the climate crisis.”

Admin

Recent Posts

Trump vs. Panama: President Mulino Responds to US Threats Over Canal Control

Jose Raul Mulino the President of Panama strongly rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's comments about taking back control of the… Read More

December 23, 2024

Louise Delos Reyes Says ‘Yes’! Actress Reveals Stunning Engagement in London

Louise Delos Reyes is officially engaged! The actress-turned-pastry chef said "yes" to her longtime boyfriend, Jino Brion during a dreamy… Read More

December 23, 2024

Can Ukraine Join NATO? Zelenskiy Pushes for Global Stability Through Alliance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that membership of Ukraine in NATO is "achievable" goal but this will require persistent effort… Read More

December 22, 2024

UAE-Funded Orphanage Opens in Ethiopia, Transforming Lives in Oromia

Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art orphanage in Oromia. This orphanage is built with the support… Read More

December 21, 2024

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Drone Strikes Cause Disruptions in Kazan, No Casualties

The airport in the Russian city of Kazan reopened on Saturday. This airport reopened on Saturday after a temporary closure… Read More

December 21, 2024

George Eastham, England’s 1966 World Cup Winner, Passes Away at 88

England's 1966 World Cup Winner, George Eastham has passed on aged 88 years. Blackpool-born forward, who played 19 times for… Read More

December 21, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More