Hawai’i

Thirteen plaintiffs, aged between 9 and 18, filed a case in 2022 alleging that the state government was violating their rights under the Hawai’ian Constitution by investing in fossil fuel-intensive infrastructure that would worsen the effects of the climate crisis. Julia Olson, the founder and legal chief of Our Children’s Trust, stated that they “activated the courts and inspired true democracy in action—all three branches of government committing to work together to do what needs to be done according to best available science, to safeguard their futures.” Days before the case was set to go to trial, the state’s governor and Department of Transportation announced an unprecedented settlement that will expedite the decarbonisation of Hawai’i’s transit system and formally recognises children’s constitutional rights to a life-sustaining climate. Under the settlement, the Hawai’i Department of Transportation agreed to implement transformative changes to Hawai’i’s transportation system in order to achieve the state’s legally established goal of net-negative emissions by 2045. Marking a pivotal step in protecting Hawai’i for future generations. One plaintiff expressed hope that the case will inspire youth around the world to hold leaders accountable for the future they will inherit.