The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the youth-led climate lawsuit Juliana v. United States marks a significant moment in environmental law, closing a chapter on a case that influenced climate litigation strategies while raising concerns about future environmental protections.
Supreme Court Declines Appeal in Landmark Youth Climate Case
Supreme Court Declines Appeal in Landmark Youth Climate Case
The long-running Juliana v. United States case ends, but its implications for climate litigation endure.
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on March 24, 2025, announced its decision to decline hearing an appeal related to the prominent climate lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, which was initiated by 21 young plaintiffs against the federal government. This ruling concludes a decade-long legal battle that aimed to hold the U.S. government accountable for its support of fossil fuel policies, which the plaintiffs argued infringed upon their constitutional rights.
Originally filed in 2015, the Juliana case argued that government actions favoring fossil fuels constituted a violation of the youth plaintiffs' rights to life, liberty, and property. The case received national attention and inspired several additional climate lawsuits. However, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed it in 2020, stating that such claims were unsuitable for judicial consideration, suggesting instead that political avenues should address climate change concerns.
Our Children’s Trust, a nonprofit law firm based in Eugene, Oregon, which represents the young plaintiffs, made a final effort in 2024 to revive the case, seeking Supreme Court intervention. Ultimately, that petition was denied, marking a turning point in what many see as a pivotal moment for climate litigation.
While Juliana's journey through the courts ends here, its legacy continues, serving as a model for other innovative legal strategies aimed at combating the climate crisis. However, involvement in this case also raised concerns among legal experts that engaging with the current Supreme Court, perceived as conservative, could jeopardize existing environmental protections. Thus, the Juliana case remains a testament to the determination of young advocates for climate justice, even in the face of legislative and judicial hurdles.
