South Korean court hears children's climate change case against government

SEOUL — South Korea's Constitutional Court began hearing on Tuesday (April 23) a case that accuses the government of having failed to protect 200 people, including dozens of young environmental activists and children, by not tackling climate change.

The proceeding is Asia's first such climate-related litigation, the plaintiffs said, which includes four petitions by children and infants among others dating from 2020, as well as one from a foetus at the time, nicknamed Woodpecker.

Climate lawsuits are a global trend, drawing increasing public interest, said Lee Jong-seok, the president of the court, which is one of the highest in South Korea.

"The court recognises the importance and public interest of this case and will make efforts to ensure that deliberations are conducted thoroughly," he said.

The hearing comes weeks after Europe's top human rights court ruled that the Swiss government had violated its citizens' rights by not doing enough to combat climate change, while courts in Australia, Brazil and Peru weigh similar cases.

"South Korea's current climate plans are not sufficient to keep the temperature increase within 1.5 degrees Celsius, thus violating the state's obligation to protect fundamental rights," the plaintiffs said in a statement.

Scientists say a global temperature rise beyond 1.5 C, above the preindustrial average, will trigger catastrophic and irreversible impacts, from melting ice sheets to the collapse of ocean currents.

Burning of fossil fuels, and the resulting carbon emissions, have been linked to rising temperatures, and South Korea's economy relies heavily on such fuels for growth. It has sought to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

Lawyers for the government told the court the authorities were