What was at stake
Landmark case where youth plaintiffs successfully argued Montana violated their constitutional right to a clean environment. First US case affirming youth climate rights.
What happened
In 2020, sixteen youth plaintiffs, represented by Our Children’s Trust, sued the State of Montana. They challenged the state’s energy policy, alleging it violated their constitutional right under the state constitution to a clean and healthful environment.
What the court decided
The Montana First Judicial District Court ruled that the state's failure to consider climate impacts when authorizing fossil fuel projects violated the state constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment held by youth plaintiffs. The court struck down a provision in the Montana Environmental Policy Act that prohibited agencies from evaluating greenhouse gas emissions or climate impacts.
How the court got there
The Montana First Judicial District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, finding that the Montana Constitution protects the right to a stable climate system. The court determined that a specific state law within the Montana Environmental Policy Act, which restricted the consideration of greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews, violated this constitutional right. This decision was later affirmed by the Montana Supreme Court.
Statutes and cases cited
- § Montana Constitution Art. IX, § 1 (right to a clean and healthful environment)
- § Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) — provision restricting GHG/climate-impact review
Categories
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