Young people and Hawaii agree 'groundbreaking' climate change settlement

A group of young environmental activists have settled a climate change lawsuit against Hawaii that will allow young people to help to limit the effects of climate change there.

The 13 activists said the US state was violating their rights by using systems that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

As part of the settlement, Hawaii will develop a plan to achieve zero emissions for its ground, sea, and inner island air transport systems by 2045.

This was the year by which the state was already aiming to become carbon neutral.

Authorities will also take advice from young people with plans going forward.

The settlement has been described as "groundbreaking" by Democratic Governor Josh Green.

Hawaii has agreed to decarbonise its transport system

What did the climate change lawsuit say?

The lawsuit against Hawaii was filed in 2022 by the group, who were aged between 9 and 18 at the time.

They argued that the state had put things such as highway construction projects ahead of cutting carbon emissions. This sort of work locks in the use of fossil fuels which contribute to climate change.

The activists said that the state was violating a right to a clean and healthy environment and the Hawaii Constitution's duty to "conserve and protect Hawaii's natural beauty and all natural resources".

The coastline of the Waikiki area

The state spent $3 million fighting the case. It argued the zero emissions target and other state laws looking at cutting carbon emissions were something to aim for, but could not form the basis of claiming the state was violating the young people's rights.

But Judge Jeffrey Crabtree in Honolulu rejected that argument in April 2023, saying the laws required planning and action to address climate change. He said that the state's lack of action had already harmed the activists.

The case is one of several by young environmental activists in the United States that broadly accuse governments of making climate change worse through plans that encourage or allow the use of fossil fuels.

The case had been set for trial on Monday 24 June. It would have been the second-ever trial in the United States of a lawsuit by young people who claim their futures and health are put at risk by climate change and that a state's actions violated their rights. This was after a group in Montana won a case last year.

There were devastating wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, last year after unusually dry weather

What has Hawaii agreed to do?

The agreement, which can be enforced in court, calls for the creation of a volunteer youth council to advise the state's Department of Transportation.

Governor Green said: "We're addressing the impacts of climate change today, and needless to say, this is a priority because we know now that climate change is here."

The department has committed to reducing greenhouse gases and creating a new unit dedicated to decarbonisation.

It also plans to put at least $40 million towards growing the public electric vehicle charging network by 2030 and improving pedestrian, bike and public transit networks.

Leinā'ala Ley, a lawyer for the youth activists at Earthjustice, said the agreement "gives Hawaii a boost in our race against climate disaster" and offers a model of best practices that can be put in place in other parts of the world.