Landmark Climate Change Case Heard by South Korean Constitutional Court

 

On Tuesday, South Korea’s Constitutional Court made history by beginning a hearing in a groundbreaking climate change case. The case challenges the government’s failure to protect its citizens, including many young environmental activists and children, from the harms of climate change. This marks Asia’s first climate-related legal cases, highlighting the growing importance and global significance of climate justice movements.

The plaintiffs, including children and infants, filed four petitions dating back to 2020, one even from a then-nestling bird nicknamed Woodpecker. Collectively, their claims emphasize the urgent need for swift and unequivocal action to address the growing climate crisis. By initiating legal proceedings against the government, the plaintiffs are not only demanding accountability but also challenging systemic deficiencies in climate policy.

The core of the plaintiffs’ argument is that South Korea’s current climate plans are insufficient to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a threshold scientists consider crucial to avoid disastrous and irreversible impacts. They assert that the government’s failure to take adequate measures to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate risks violates their fundamental rights.

The case has generated significant attention both domestically and globally, with legal experts and environmental advocates closely monitoring its proceedings. If successful, it seems poised to set a precedent for future climate lawsuits and compel governments worldwide to adopt more ambitious climate policies in line with their human rights obligations.