Last year, nine young Australians took an extraordinary step. After living through bushfires, floods, extreme heat and damage to Country, they took their concerns about Australia’s climate inaction all the way to the United Nations.
Represented by Environment Justice Australia [EJA] lawyers, Generation Justice lodged a human rights complaint with the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in the context of climate change.
Now, not one but TWO Special Rapporteurs have responded strongly, issuing serious allegations with the Australian government over its continued support for coal and gas the consequences for young people.
This is a significant moment for Generation Justice – the nine young people we’re so proud to represent.
The UN investigators have raised serious concerns about the rights of children, First Nations people and people living with disabilities, and asked Australia to explain itself.
The Australian government has now responded – but left most fundamental questions unanswered.
Australia’s response gives a rundown of its existing climate policies and targets. But it has not committed to stopping new coal and gas approvals, ending fossil fuel subsidies, making a national roadmap to phase out climate pollution or strengthening its 2035 climate target.
You can read the full summary of the UN correspondence and the Government’s response on EJA website here.
And with COP31 global climate talks just around the corner, Australia’s climate inaction is facing unprecedented international scrutiny.
As President of Negotiations, Australia will coordinate global efforts to cut climate pollution and protect our region from worsening bushfires, floods and sea level rise.
But that creates an uncomfortable credibility test for the Government: how can Australia ask other countries to do more on climate while facing serious investigations about what it is doing at home?
These young people have made their voices heard on the world stage. Now they’re asking for help to make sure the government listens.
Right now, they’re asking all of us to help keep the pressure on:
Share this story with your friends, family and community – and encourage them to take action too.
Add your name to Generation Justice’s open letter calling for climate action and accountability.
Tag @AlboMP in Generation Justice’s social media posts or your own, and ask him to answer the fundamental question: why keep approving new coal and gas?
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