Hawaii Settles Youth Climate Suit With Decarbonization Plan (1)

Young plaintiffs in Hawaii leading a landmark constitutional climate lawsuit have settled their case with an agreement to transform the state’s transportation system.

Parties in Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation voluntarily concluded litigation with a first-of-its-kind settlement announced on Thursday, which includes a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan for achieving “zero emissions in all ground transportation, and interisland sea and air transportation, by 2045,” according to a press release.

The settlement also acknowledges the cornerstone argument of the youths’ case: the constitutional right to a life-sustaining climate.

“Defendants, in establishing, maintaining, and operating the state transportation system, must preserve, ...