In a landmark settlement, Hawaii has pledged to overhaul its transportation system to achieve zero emissions by 2045, resolving a lawsuit filed by 13 young activists. The plaintiffs contended that the state’s infrastructure projects contributed to climate change, infringing on their constitutional rights.
Governor Josh Green announced the settlement at a press conference, highlighting its significance as the first youth-driven climate case in the U.S. seeking zero emissions in transportation. The activists argued that Hawaii’s focus on highway expansion perpetuated fossil fuel dependence rather than mitigating carbon emissions.
“We’re taking immediate action to combat climate change,” Green stated. “This is a critical priority because we recognize that climate change is an urgent issue, not a distant future concern.”
The case, which was slated for trial on Monday, would have been the second of its kind in the U.S. The settlement mandates the creation of a roadmap for zero emissions across Hawaii’s ground, sea, and inner-island air transportation by 2045, aligning with the state’s broader carbon neutrality goals.
Key components of the agreement include the establishment of a volunteer youth council to guide the Department of Transportation’s decarbonization efforts, re-prioritization of infrastructure planning to reduce greenhouse gases, and the allocation of at least $40 million to expand the electric vehicle charging network by 2030. Additionally, there will be accelerated improvements to pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit networks.
Leinฤ’ala Ley, an attorney for the activists from Earthjustice, praised the settlement, calling it a significant step in the fight against climate disaster and a model for other regions.
This case is among several brought by young environmental activists across the U.S. challenging government policies that promote fossil fuel use. These cases assert that such policies violate constitutional rights to a safe and healthy environment. Despite numerous dismissals, a notable victory occurred last year when a Montana judge ruled that the state’s policies violated young people’s rights by disregarding climate impacts.
Filed in 2022, the Hawaii lawsuit claimed the state’s transportation system violated constitutional mandates for a life-sustaining climate. The plaintiffs, aged 9 to 18 at the time, argued that the state failed to uphold its constitutional duty to protect Hawaii’s natural beauty and resources.
Hawaii spent $3 million defending against the lawsuit, arguing that the state’s zero emissions target and other carbon reduction laws were aspirational. However, Judge Jeffrey Crabtree ruled in April 2023 that the laws required timely action and that the state’s inaction was causing current and worsening harm.
“Transportation emissions are on the rise and will continue to increase without intervention,” Crabtree noted. “The alleged harms are real, ongoing, and worsening.”
This settlement represents a significant step forward in addressing climate change, setting a precedent for youth-led climate action and government accountability.
