By Ju-min Park
About 200 plaintiffs, including young climate activists and even some infants, have taken a groundbreaking step by filing petitions to the constitutional court since 2020. Their argument? That the government was violating its citizens’ human rights by not taking sufficient action on climate change.
The court has responded by asking the legislature to revise the carbon neutrality act by the end of February 2026. This decision comes after acknowledging that the current emission targets do not align with the constitution, as they fail to protect basic rights and future generations against a looming climate crisis.
This ruling marks a significant moment in climate advocacy, as it is the first high court decision on a government’s climate action in Asia. It sets a potential precedent in a region where similar lawsuits have been filed in Taiwan and Japan.
Back in April, Europe’s top human rights court ruled that the Swiss government had also violated its citizens’ rights by not doing enough to combat climate change.
The reaction to the Korean court’s ruling was nothing short of powerful. Plaintiffs, activists, and lawyers celebrated with cheers, tears, and applause, chanting slogans like “The verdict is not the end, but the beginning.”
One of the plaintiffs, 12-year-old Han Je-ah, expressed hope that this decision would lead to meaningful change so that future generations do not have to resort to constitutional appeals to secure their rights in the face of the climate crisis.
Lawyer Kim Young-hee emphasized the importance of the verdict, calling it a crucial step towards greenhouse gas reduction for the entire society.
The court specifically pointed out flaws in South Korea’s carbon neutrality act, stating that it lacked quantifiable reduction targets for the crucial years between 2031 and 2049. This failure to ensure gradual and continuous emissions reductions until 2050 could lead to an excessive burden on future generations.
The environment ministry has stated that it respects the court’s decision and will take necessary follow-up actions to comply with the ruling.
Experts believe that this ruling could have ripple effects beyond South Korea, potentially inspiring change in other countries facing similar climate challenges.
Scientists warn that a global temperature rise beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels could have catastrophic and irreversible impacts on the planet, from melting ice sheets to disruptions in ocean currents.
Despite its goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, South Korea remains the second-highest coal polluter among G20 countries, trailing only behind Australia. The slow adoption of renewables has hindered its progress in reducing emissions.
While South Korea revised down its 2030 targets for greenhouse gas reductions in the industrial sector last year, it maintains its national goal of cutting emissions by 40% of 2018 levels.
This landmark ruling serves as a wake-up call for nations worldwide to take decisive action on climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for all. It highlights the urgent need for governments to prioritize environmental protection and commit to ambitious emission reduction targets to safeguard the planet for future generations.
