Case Law Database
This database hosts summaries of the most important and relevant youth climate cases. Most cases have been analysed by PhD Researcher Liesl Muller. We would like to thank the Sabin Center for permission to use some of their summaries. Please contact youthclimatejustice@ucc.ie for updates or corrections.
| Short case title | Decision Date | Decision making body | Law applied | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sacchi v Argentina et. al. |
2021-10-08T15:10:00Z | United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child | Paris Agreement,United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/sacchi-v-argentina-et-al-.html |
Billy v. Australia |
2022-09-22T15:09:00Z | OHCHR - Human Rights Committee | Communication under the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/billy-v-australia.html |
La Rose v. Her Majesty the Queen |
2023-12-13T14:12:00Z | Federal Court of Appeal, Canada | Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Constitution of Canada | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/la-rose-v-her-majesty-the-queen.html |
Children of Austria v. Austria |
2023-06-27T10:06:00Z | Constitutional Court of Austria | EU Charter of Fundamental Rights,Federal Climate Protection Act (Klimaschutzgesetz 2011), Austria,Federal Constitutional Act on Sustainability, Animal Protection, Comprehensive Environmental Protection, Water and Food Security as well as Research, Austria,The Federal Constitutional Act on the Rights of Children, Austria | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/children-of-austria-v-austria-.html |
Juliana v. US |
2024-05-01T15:05:00Z | US Supreme Court | Fifth Amendment (Due process, equal protection) to the United States,Ninth Amendment to the United States,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/juliana-v-us.html |
Mathur v. Ontario |
2023-04-14T15:04:00Z | Superior Court of Appeal, Canada | Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Canadian Constitution Act,Paris Agreement,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/mathur-v-ontario.html |
Agostinho v. Portugal |
2024-04-09T09:04:00Z | European Court of Human Rights (Grand Chamber) | European Convention on Human Rights | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/agostinho-v-portugal-.html |
Neubauer et al v Germany (Klimashutz) |
2021-03-24T13:03:00Z | Federal Constitutional Court, Germany | Constitution of Germany,EU Charter of Fundamental Rights,Federal Climate Protection Act, Germany | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/neubauer-et-al-v-germany-klimashutz.html |
Held v. State of Montana |
2023-08-14T14:08:00Z | Montana Supreme Court | Montana Constitution,Montana Environmental Policy Act,Montana State Energy Policy,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/held-v-montana.html |
Future Generations v. The Ministry of the Environment (Colombia) |
2018-04-05T14:04:00Z | Supreme Court, Colombia | Constitution of Colombia,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/future-generations-v-the-ministry-of-the-environment-colombia-.html |
Ali v. Federation of Pakistan |
Lahore High Court, Punjab | Constitution of Pakistan,Framework for Implementation of Climate Change Policy of 2013, Pakistan,National Climate Change Policy of 2012, Pakistan,Public Trust Doctrine,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/ali-v-pakistan.html | |
Oposa v. Factoran |
1993-07-30T14:07:00Z | Supreme Court, Manilla, Republic of the Philippines | Civil code Art 19, 20 and 21, Philippines,Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines – section 16(2),Executive order no. 192 (1987) - section 4, Philippines,Presidential decree no 1151 (Philippine environmental Policy) section 3 | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/oposa-v-factoran.html |
GroundWork Trust & Others v Minister of Environmental Affairs & Others (#DeadlyAir) |
2022-03-18T10:03:00Z | High Court of South Africa | Constitution of South Africa,National Environmental Management Act,Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/groundwork-trust--others-v-minister-of-environmental-affairs--others-deadlya.html |
Youth Verdict v. Waratah Coal |
2022-11-25T15:11:00Z | Queensland Land Court | Human Rights Act, Australia | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/youth-verdict-v-waratah-coal.html |
African Climate Alliance et. al., v. Minister of Mineral Resources et al #CancelCoal |
2024-12-04T10:12:00Z | High Court of South Africa | Constitution of South Africa,National Environmental Management Act,National Environmental Management Act, South Africa,Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/african-climate-alliance-et-al-v-minister-of-mineral-resources-et-al-cancelcoal.html |
Mbabazi and others v. The Attorney General and National Environmental Management Authority |
High Court of Uganda | Ugandan Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/mbabazi-and-others-v-the-attorney-general-and-national-environmental-management-.html | |
Various parties obo minors v. Anglo-American South Africa Limited & Others (Children of Kabwe) |
2023-12-14T15:12:00Z | High Court of South Africa | Constitution of South Africa,South African Children’s Act,Zambian Law | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/various-parties-obo-minors-v-anglo-american-south-africa-limited--others.html |
Navahine F. v. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation |
2024-06-20T16:06:00Z | The Circuit Court of the First Circuit State of Hawai'i | Hawai'i Climate Change Laws,Hawai'i Constitution,Hawai'i Endangered Species Statute | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/navahine-f-v-hawaii-department-of-transportation.html |
Minister for the Environment v. Sharma |
2022-04-14T15:04:00Z | Federal Court of Australia (Full Court) | Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, Australia,Federal Climate Protection Act (Klimaschutzgesetz 2011), Austria,Federal Court of Australia Act 1976, Australia | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/minister-for-the-environment-v-sharma.html |
Greenpeace Nordic and Nature & Youth v. Energy Ministry (The North Sea Fields Case) |
2024-05-16T17:05:00Z | Oslo District Court | Norway Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/greenpeace-nordic-and-nature--youth-v-energy-ministry.html |
Jóvenes v. Gobierno de México (Youth v Mexico) |
2023-09-21T16:09:00Z | District Court in Administrative Matters, Mexico | Constitution of Mexico,General Law on Climate Change, Mexico | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/jovenes-v-gobierno-de-mexico-youth-v-mexico.html |
Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia |
2024-06-25T16:06:00Z | Virginia Supreme Court | Public Trust Doctrine,Virginia Constitution,Virginia Gas & Oil Act | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/layla-h-v-commonwealth.html |
Natalie R. v. State (Utah) |
2022-11-09T16:11:00Z | Utah Supreme Court | Utah State Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/natalie-r-v-state-utah.html |
Indonesian Youths & others v. Indonesia |
OHCHR - Human Rights Committee | United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/indonesian-youths--others-v-indonesia.html | |
Woodpecker et. al., v. South Korea |
2024-08-29T10:08:00Z | South Korean Constitutional Court | Constitution of South Korea,Enforcement Decree of the Carbon Neutrality Act, South Korea,Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/woodpecker-et-al-v-south-korea.html |
Environmental Justice Australia (EJA) v. Australia |
UN Special Rapporteurs (Environment; Indigenous Peoples; Persons with Disabilities) | Convention on the Rights of the Child,International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,International Human Rights Law,Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/environmental-justice-australia-eja-v-australia.html | |
Ridhima Pandey v. Union of India |
2019-01-15T11:01:00Z | National Green Tribunal Principal Bench, New Delhi | National Green Tribunal Act, India,Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/ridhima-pandey-v-union-of-india-.html |
NZ Students v. BP |
International Criminal Court | Paris Agreement,Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Italy | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/nz-students-v-bp-.html | |
De Conto v. Italy and 32 states |
European Court of Human Rights | European Convention on Human Rights | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/de-conto-v-italy-and-32-states.html | |
Uricchio v. Italy and 32 states |
European Court of Human Rights | European Convention on Human Rights,European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/uricchio-v-italy-and-32-states.html | |
Petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Seeking to Redress Violations of the Rights of Children in Cité Soleil, Haiti |
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights | American Convention on Human Rights,San Salvador Protocol, Haiti | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/inter-american-commission-on-human-rights---haiti.html | |
PUSH Sweden, Nature and Youth Sweden and Others v. Government of Sweden |
2023-05-11T12:05:00Z | Stockholm District Court | Constitution of Sweden | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/push-sweden-nature-and-youth-sweden-and-others-v-government-of-sweden-.html |
Engels et. al., v. Germany |
European Court of Human Rights | European Convention on Human Rights | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/engels-et-al-v-germany-.html | |
Raincoast Conservation Foundation et. al., v. Attorney General Canada |
Supreme Court of Canada | Environmental Assessment Act, Canada,National Energy Board Act, Canada,Species at Risk Act, Canada | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/raincoast-conservation-foundation-et-al-v-attorney-general-canada-.html | |
Soubeste v. Austria et. al. |
European Court of Human Rights | European Convention on Human Rights | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/soubeste-v-austria-et-al-.html | |
Kain v. Department of Environmental Protection |
2016-05-17T12:05:00Z | Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court | Massachusetts Constitution,Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/kain-v-department-of-environmental-protection-.html |
Children’s petition to the UN Secretary General to declare a climate emergency |
UN Secretary General | Convention on the Rights of the Child,Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/childrens-petition-to-the-un-secretary-general-to-declare-a-climate-emergency-.html | |
Opinion of the National Human Rights Commission on the climate crisis and human rights (South Korea) |
2023-01-01T13:01:00Z | National Human Rights Commission (South Korea) | Constitution of Korea | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/opinion-of-the-national-human-rights-commission-on-the-climate-crisis-and-human-.html |
Armando Carvalho and others v. Parliament |
2021-03-25T13:03:00Z | Court of Justice of the European Union/European Court of Justice | Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/armando-carvalho-and-others-v-parliament---.html |
Lemme et. al., v. Bayern |
Bayern Constitutional Court | Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/lemme-et-al-v-bayern-.html | |
Alvarez et. al., v. Peru |
2025-04-24T15:04:30Z | Superior Court of Lima | Constitution of Peru | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/alvarez-et-al-v-peru-.html |
Nuestros Derechos al Futuro y Medio Ambiente Sano et. al., v. Mexico |
2022-12-15T09:12:00Z | Electricity Industry Law (Mexico),Escazu Agreement,General Law of the Rights of Children and Adolescents (Mexico),General Law on Climate Change, Mexico,Paris Agreement,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/nuestros-derechos-al-futuro-y-medio-ambiente-sano-et-al-v-mexico.html | |
ENvironnement JEUnesse v. Procureur General du Canada |
2021-12-13T09:12:00Z | Paris Agreement,Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/environnement-jeunesse-v-procureur-general-du-canada-.html | |
Asociación Civil por la Justicia Ambiental v. Province of Entre Ríos, et al. (Delta del Paraná case) |
2025-02-19T09:02:00Z | Supreme Court of Argentina | Constitution of Argentina,Convention on the Rights of the Child,Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/asociacion-civil-por-la-justicia-ambiental-v-province-of-entre-rios-et-al.html |
In re: AD (Tuvalu) [2014] NZIPT 501370-371 |
2014-06-04T09:06:00Z | Immigration and Protection Tribunal of New Zealand | Immigration Act 2009 | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/in-re-ad-tuvalu.html |
Sagoonick v State II |
2025-03-10T09:03:00Z | Alaska Superior Court | Alaskan Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/sagoonick-v-state-ii-.html |
Foley et al v Sweden (Aurora case) |
2025-02-19T09:02:00Z | Nacka District Court (Sweden) | European Convention on Human Rights | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/foley-et-al-v-sweden-aurora-case-.html |
Urgenda Foundation v State of Netherlands |
2015-06-24T00:06:00Z | Netherlands Supreme Court | European Convention on Human Rights,Netherlands Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/urgenda-foundation-v-state-of-netherlands.html |
Japan Climate Case Japan for Tomorrow |
Nagoya District Court | Japan Civil Code Article 709 (Tort),Japan Civil Code Article 719 (Joint Tort) | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/japan-climate-case-japan-for-tomorrow.html | |
Herrera Carrion et al. v. Ministry of the Environment et al. (Caso Mecheros) |
2021-07-29T12:07:00Z | Family, Women, and Children Judicial Unit of Lago Agrio in the Sucumbios Province | American Convention on Human Rights,Organic Environmental Code (Ecuador),Paris Agreement,San Salvador Protocol, Haiti,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/herrera-carrion-et-al-v-ministry-of-the-environment-et-al-caso-mecheros.html |
MEV & others v Finland |
2024-10-07T12:10:00Z | United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child | Convention on the Rights of the Child,United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/mev--others-v-finland.html |
Genesis B. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
2025-02-11T12:02:00Z | California Federal Court | Fifth Amendment (Due process, equal protection) to the United States,Separation of Powers Doctrine,Take Care Clause | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/genesis-b-v-us-environmental-protection-agency.html |
Community Law and Mediation Centre and others v. Ireland |
High Court of Ireland | Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015,EU Charter of Fundamental Rights | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/community-law-and-mediation-centre-and-others-v-ireland-.html |