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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A Sud et al. v. Italy |
2024-02-26T10:02:00Z | Civil Court of Rome | Aarhus Convention,European Convention on Human Rights,Italian Civil Code,Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/a-sud-et-al-v-italy.html |
A.S. & S.A. & E.N.B v. Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye |
Turkey Constitutional Court | Convention on the Rights of the Child,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/as--sa--enb-v-presidency-of-turkiye-ii.html | |
A.S. & S.A. & E.N.B v. Presidency of Türkiye & The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change (I) |
2024-06-04T15:06:00Z | Convention on the Rights of the Child,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/as--sa--enb-v-presidency-of-turkiye--the-ministry-of-environment-i.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 |
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 |
Aji v Washington |
2021-10-06T10:10:00Z | Washington High Court | Washington State Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/aji-v-washington.html |
Alec L. v. McCarthy |
2014-12-08T14:12:00Z | US Supreme Court | Public Trust Doctrine,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/alec-l-v-mccarthy.html |
Ali v. Federation of Pakistan |
2019-01-15T14:01:00Z | 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,Public Trust Doctrine,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/ali-v-pakistan.html |
Alvarez et. al., v. Peru |
2025-04-24T15:04:00Z | Superior Court of Lima | Constitution of Peru | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/alvarez-et-al-v-peru-.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 |
Asociación Civil por la Justicia Ambiental v. Province of Entre Ríos, et al. (Delta del Paraná case) |
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 | |
Attencio v State of New Mexico |
2025-06-01T10:06:00Z | New Mexico Supreme Court | New Mexico Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/attencio-v-state-of-new-mexico.html |
Barhaugh v. Montana |
2011-11-15T14:11:00Z | Montana Supreme Court | Public Trust Doctrine,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/barhaugh-v-montana.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 |
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 |
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 | |
Clean Air Council v. United States |
2019-02-19T14:02:00Z | Pennsylvania Federal Court | Fifth Amendment (Due process, equal protection) to the United States,Public Trust Doctrine,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/clean-air-council-v-united-states.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 | |
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 | |
Do-Hyun Kim et al. v. South Korea |
2024-08-29T14:08:00Z | South Korean Constitutional Court | Constitution of South Korea | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/do-hyun-kim-et-al-v-south-korea-.html |
Dunn v. Wisconsin Public Service Commission |
Public Trust Doctrine,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/dunn-v-wisconsin-public-service-commission.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 | |
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 | |
ENvironnement JEUnesse v. Procureur General du Canada |
2021-12-13T09:12:00Z | Supreme Court of Canada | Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,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 |
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 |
Foster v Washington |
2017-09-05T10:09:50Z | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/foster-v-washington.html | ||
Fridays for Future Estonia vs. Environmental Board |
2025-08-01T00:08:00Z | Estonia Tallinn Administrative Court | Convention on the Rights of the Child,Estonia General Part of the Environmental Code Act,European Convention on Human Rights,Paris Agreement,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/fridays-for-future-estonia-vs-environmental-board.html |
Funk v Wolf |
2017-03-28T10:03:00Z | Pennsylvania Supreme Court | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/funk-v-wolf.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 |
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 |
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 |
Greenpeace Nordic and Others v. Norway |
European Court of Human Rights | European Convention on Human Rights | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/greenpeace-nordic-and-others-v-norway.html | |
GroundWork Trust & Others v Minister of Environmental Affairs & Others (#DeadlyAir) |
2025-04-10T23:04:00Z | 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 |
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 | |
Held v. State of Montana |
2024-12-18T14:12:00Z | Montana Supreme Court | Montana Constitution,Montana Environmental Policy Act,Montana State Energy Policy,Public Trust Doctrine,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/held-v-montana.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 |
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 |
Indonesian Youths & others v. Indonesia |
OHCHR - Human Rights Committee | Constitution of Indonesia,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/indonesian-youths--others-v-indonesia.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 | |
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 |
Julia Habana et. al., v. Mexico (Unconstitutionality of the reform to the Electricity Industry Law) |
2023-12-26T13:12:00Z | District Court in Administrative Matters, Mexico | Constitution of Mexico,Electricity Industry Law (Mexico),Escazu Agreement,General Law on Climate Change, Mexico,Paris Agreement,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/julia-habana-et-al-v-mexico-.html |
Juliana v. US |
2024-05-03T15:05:00Z | US Supreme Court | Fifth Amendment (Due process, equal protection) to the United States,Ninth Amendment to the United States,Public Trust Doctrine,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/juliana-v-us.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,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/kain-v-department-of-environmental-protection-.html |
Kanuk v. Alaska |
2014-09-12T14:09:00Z | Supreme Court of Alaska | Alaskan Constitution,Public Trust Doctrine,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/kanuk-v-alaska.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,Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Constitution of Canada | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/la-rose-v-her-majesty-the-queen.html |
Layla H. v. Commonwealth of Virginia |
2025-02-25T16:02:00Z | Virginia Supreme Court | Public Trust Doctrine,Public Trust Doctrine,Virginia Constitution,Virginia Gas & Oil Act | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/layla-h-v-commonwealth.html |
Lemme et. al., v. Bayern (Constitutional claim) |
2022-01-18T10:01:00Z | Federal Constitutional Court, Germany | Germany Federal Climate Protection Act of 2019 (KSG),Paris Agreement,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/lemme-et-al-v-bayern-constitutional-claim.html |
Lho’imggin et al. v. Her Majesty the Queen |
2020-11-16T13:11:00Z | Federal Court of Appeal, Canada | Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,Constitution of Canada | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/lhoimggin-et-al-v-her-majesty-the-queen.html |
Lighthiser v. Trump |
Montana District Court | Montana Constitution,Public Trust Doctrine,Public Trust Doctrine | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/lighthiser-v-trump.html | |
Luca Salis, et al. v. State of Sachsen-Anhalt |
2022-01-18T16:01:00Z | Federal Constitutional Court, Germany | Constitution of Germany,Germany Federal Climate Protection Act of 2019 (KSG) | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/luca-salis-et-al-v-state-of-sachsen-anhalt.html |
Martinez v. Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission |
2019-01-28T14:01:00Z | Colorado Supreme Court | Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Act | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/martinez-v-colorado-oil--gas-conservation-commission.html |
Mathur v. Ontario |
2024-10-17T15:10:00Z | Superior Court of Appeal, Canada | Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,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 |
Mbabazi v. The Attorney General & National Environmental Management Authority |
High Court of Uganda | Ugandan Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/mbabazi-v-the-attorney-general--national-environmental-management-.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 |
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 |
Moncayo v. PetroAmazonas |
2021-01-26T14:01:00Z | Sucumbíos Provincial Court of Justice | Constitution of Ecuador,Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/moncayo-v-petroamazonas.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 |
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 |
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 |
Nuestros Derechos al Futuro y Medio Ambiente Sano et. al., v. Mexico |
2022-12-15T09:12:00Z | District Court in Administrative Matters, Mexico | 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 |
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 | |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Plan B Earth and Others v. Prime Minister |
2021-12-21T10:12:00Z | Courts of England and Wales | European Convention on Human Rights,Paris Agreement,United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/plan-b-earth-and-others-v-prime-minister.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 |
Raincoast Conservation Foundation et. al., v. Attorney General Canada |
2019-12-30T22:12:00Z | 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 |
Request for an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice |
2025-07-23T14:07:00Z | International Court of Justice | Convention on the Rights of the Child,International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,Universal Declaration of Human Rights | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/request-for-an-advisory-opinion-from-the-international-court-of-justice.html |
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 |
Sagoonick v State II |
2025-03-10T09:03:00Z | Alaska Superior Court | Alaskan Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/sagoonick-v-state-ii-.html |
Six Youths v. Minister of Environmental Affairs |
2024-06-07T14:06:00Z | Sao Paulo Federal Court | Brazil National Climate Change Policy (Law No. 12187 of 2009),Paris Agreement | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/six-youths-v-minister-of-environmental-affairs-.html |
Soubeste v. Austria et. al. |
2024-11-26T13:11:00Z | European Court of Human Rights | European Convention on Human Rights | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/soubeste-v-austria-et-al-.html |
Thomas & De Freitas v. Guyana |
Guyana Supreme Court | Guyana Constitution | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/thomas--de-freitas-v-guyana.html | |
Thomson v. Minister for Climate Change Issues |
2017-11-02T10:11:00Z | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/thomson-v-minister-for-climate-change-issues.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 |
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 | |
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 |
VZW Klimaatzaak v. Kingdom of Belgium & Others |
2024-11-30T00:11:00Z | Brussels Court of Appeal | Belgian Civil Code,European Convention on Human Rights,International Human Rights Law | /en/youthclimatejustice/caselawdatabase/vzw-klimaatzaak-v-kingdom-of-belgium--others.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 |
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 |