They responded!
Today we’re celebrating a huge moment – one we should never have had to fight for
Two UN investigators have issued serious allegations to the Australian Government about its lack of climate policies, continued support for coal and gas, and the impacts on our lives, health and futures.
In an Australian first (and not the good kind) UN Special Rapporteurs Elisa Morgera and Astrid Puentes Riaño have put Australia’s continued coal and has approvals under unprecedented international scrutiny.
And they did so after listening to young people like us.
Young people like Maddie, who grew up watching the land around her get drier and hotter, and eventually moved away in search of a more climate-safe future.
Young people like Maya, whose Year 10 English exam was interrupted as a severe hailstorm tore through her community, damaging homes and businesses.
Young people like Zhanāe, who has watched sacred Country torn apart by coal mining machinery.
These allegations follow the human rights complaint we submitted last year.
It’s a huge moment to see the UN not only listen to young people, but act on the concerns we raised.
But let’s be clear:
We should never have had to go to the United Nations just to have our fundamental rights taken seriously.
The UN investigators say Australia’s laws “appear to be ill-equipped to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel production, consumption and subsidies” in line with Australia’s legal obligations.
They asked the Albanese Government to explain what it is doing to move Australia away from coal and gas, whether it will strengthen its 2035 climate target to align with limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and how its coal and gas approvals account for impacts on children, First Nations peoples and communities overseas.
So, how did the Government respond?
Did it explain how approving more coal and gas is consistent with protecting our lives and futures? No.
Instead, it gave the UN a rundown of its existing climate policies and targets, talked up its credentials in the Pacific and Australia’s role presiding over global climate negotiations at COP.
Don’t get us wrong. Renewable energy and regulating polluting facilities matter.
But…
you can’t keep pouring petrol on the fire and expect applause for buying more hoses.
As our lawyers at Environmental Justice Australia put it:
“International human rights law requires governments to protect peoples’ lives, health and homes from foreseeable climate harm, with particular obligations to protect children and young people.”
Young people will spend their whole lives dealing with the consequences of decisions they had no say in. They should be able to trust that the adults making those decisions are looking out for them and following the law.”
– Hannah White, EJA Senior Lawyer
We’re asking our government to do something pretty simple, and pretty fundamental – protect the lives and futures of young people by stopping fuelling the climate crisis.
We’re calling on the Prime Minister to listen to young people, take these human rights concerns seriously and stop making climate disasters worse by approving coal and gas mines and bankrolling polluting companies.
Help us keep the pressure on
Tag @AlboMP in our social media posts or yours too! And ask him why his Government keeps approving new coal and gas projects that make climate disasters worse.
Add your name to the open letter calling for climate action and accountability.
Share this story with your friends, family and community, and encourage them to take action too.
It’s especially important that the PM hears this message now.
In just a few weeks, world leaders will gather for COP31
This is the global UN climate conference where Australia will preside over international climate negotiations.
At the same time Australia is preparing to lead those negotiations, its own fossil fuel policies and human rights record are under unprecedented international scrutiny.
It’s pretty hard to claim climate credibility on the world stage while dodging serious questions from two UN human rights investigators about what you’re doing back home.
The bigger picture
We lost the chance to just be kids.
But the next generation doesn’t have to.
Every tonne of climate pollution we keep out of the atmosphere brings us closer to a safer future.
Our homes, our health, Country and Culture, and our futures shouldn’t be put at risk by decisions that prioritise fossil fuel interests over people. These are fundamental human rights that our government has a responsibility to respect and protect.
There are practical steps the government can take now: stop approving new coal and gas, immediately end fossil fuel subsidies and make a national roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels in a way that’s fast and fair.
We deserve to feel safe in our homes, stay connected to the places and Country we love, and grow up with the freedom to dream about our futures – not fear them.
We’re fighting for a future where we are the last generation forced to worry about whether climate change will take those things away.
3 ways to take action
- Tag @AlboMP in your social media posts
- Add your name to the open letter
- Share this story with others