South Korea’s constitutional court orders stronger climate roadmap

South Korea’s constitutional court ruled that the government must revise its climate law to include detailed steps to meet its 2050 carbon neutrality goal.

Naveena Sadasivam reports for Grist.

In short:

A South Korean court ruled that the government’s current climate plans are insufficient and ordered the National Assembly to revise them by 2026.
The case, led by over 250 plaintiffs, including children and an unborn child, argued that a stronger roadmap is needed to protect citizens’ right to life.
This decision could set a legal precedent across Asia, where similar climate lawsuits are underway.

Key quote:

"The court made it very clear that the climate crisis is a scientific and legal fact, and they acknowledged that the state has a duty to protect people from climate change."

— Byung-Joo Lee, attorney for the plaintiffs.

Why this matters:

This ruling highlights the growing global trend of climate lawsuits, especially by younger generations, demanding immediate action to ensure a livable future. South Korea's decision may influence similar cases worldwide, pushing governments to create enforceable climate plans.

grist.org

South Korea’s constitutional court orders stronger climate roadmap

The brawl over the Colorado River is about more than water

Climate change is worsening conflict between Africa's farmers and nomadic herders

EU gets tough on carbon border tax on heavy industry, vows to protect domestic producers

Months after oil blast, a Black Louisiana town still awaits help

The year the US doubled down on critical minerals

Trump administration to dismantle National Center for Atmospheric Research

As Trump promotes coal, no respite for communities choking on the industry's dust

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.