Canadian state sued for inaction on climate

The Canadian state will now face trial for inaction on climate, the country's judiciary has ruled.

The Federal Court of Appeal upheld a lawsuit filed four years ago by a group of 15 young environmental activists, ruling that a trial must take place to determine whether the actions of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government violated the rights of the young plaintiffs under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, according to a ruling published on Thursday.

“Without any doubt, the burden of the consequences will fall disproportionately on young Canadians,” the court writes in its decision. It adds that “the climate crisis has dramatic and rapid consequences for everyone, particularly for Indigenous and northern communities.”

Canada is warming faster

In October 2019, 15 young people aged between 10 and 19 filed a lawsuit against the Canadian federal government, which they believe is contributing to global warming by failing to implement an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In October 2020, a Federal Court judge initially dismissed their case — a decision that was overturned on Wednesday by the Federal Court of Appeal. “It is the least one can do to get a hearing to discuss what is an existential threat,” said Albert Lalonde, one of the plaintiffs, now a 21-year-old environmental activist. The law student considers it “disheartening that we had to wait four years” to reach this stage of the proceedings.

Climate lawsuits worldwide

Worldwide, there have been numerous court cases to force governments to take action against the climate crisis for example in Germany, the Netherlands or France.

Canada, which due to its geographic location is warming faster than the rest of the world, has been struggling in recent years with extreme weather events that are increasing in intensity and frequency due to global warming. The country experienced a record-breaking wildfire season this year, with 18.5 million hectares going up in smoke.

You can help all animals and our planet with compassion. Choose compassion on your plate and in your glass. Go vegan.