Overview
- The trial began Monday in Vancouver with 15 young plaintiffs who say federal climate policy violates their Charter rights to life, liberty and security.
- Plaintiffs are calling for a court order to cut greenhouse gas emissions, enforce existing 2030 targets and require a new climate plan based on current science.
- The first two weeks will feature personal testimony and eight expert witnesses for the youths, including two former IPCC lead authors who will testify on climate risks and required emissions pathways.
- The government is expected to present its defence in the third week and will argue the dispute is a political question and that current laws do not directly breach the youths’ rights.
- A ruling could set a national precedent on whether Section 7 creates a positive obligation to prevent climate harms and may influence climate rights cases internationally given recent ICJ and European decisions.