In a historic decision on Thursday, South Korea’s Constitutional Court declared significant portions of the country’s climate targets unconstitutional, marking a major triumph for a youth-led lawsuit.
The court found that the government’s limited climate objectives “violate the Constitution as they do not sufficiently protect the basic rights of the people,” according to the legal representatives of the plaintiffs.
This landmark ruling comes in response to growing concerns among South Korean youth about the impacts of climate change on their future. The youth-led case argued that inadequate climate policies endanger their rights to a safe and healthy environment.
The verdict signifies a pivotal moment in South Korea’s environmental policy, compelling the government to reassess and strengthen its commitments to combating climate change.
The plaintiffs and their supporters view this outcome as a significant step toward ensuring that environmental protection aligns with constitutional rights, setting a precedent for future climate action in the country.
Reference(s):
S. Korea climate goals found 'unconstitutional' in youth-led court case
cgtn.com
