*Photo credits: Pexels.

Co-hosted by the Youth Climate Justice Project (University College Cork) and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law (Columbia University), this online event brings together practitioners, academics, young people, and others to explore the growing phenomenon of child and youth participation in climate litigation. Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children have the right to be heard in all matters affecting them. Across the world, children and youth are increasingly involved in climate litigation, entering the legal arena in unprecedented ways. In some cases, there is a legal win for the environment; in others, the impact may be broader, inspiring policy change or garnering public attention. These litigants are often experienced climate advocates and contribute in various ways to the legal actions they participate in—including instructing legal representatives, contributing written submissions, joining media interviews, and broader advocacy work. These diverse forms of participation mean that “wins” can occur outside the courtroom as well, shaping public discourse and broader social and political outcomes. 

At this event, we’ll discuss themes such as: 

• The different forms child/youth participation can take in climate litigation. 
• What constitutes success in youth climate cases (including beyond legal victory). 
• How social research can help lead to successful youth climate litigation. 

Event Schedule

Introduction: Aoife Daly (Youth Climate justice Project) & Maria Antonia Tigre (Sabin Center for Climate Change Law)

Session 1: 1.30pm- 3.00pm Children/youth in climate litigation

Speakers:

Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh (University of Amsterdam) – Social research and success in climate cases

Kelly Matheson (Our Children’s Trust) – Legal success in a youth climate case 

Emilia (Young Litigant from Peru) - Climate litigation and youth participation 

Comfort Break 3.00-3.15pm

Session 2: 3.15-4.30pm Defining “success” in youth climate cases

Speakers:

Michelle Sithole (Centre for Environmental Rights South Africa) - Cancel Coal case

Ida Edling (Aurora – Sweden) – Youth participation and outcomes other than legal success 

Julia Croome & Reid Gomme (Ecojustice Canada) - Mathur v. Ontario case