In a historic settlement, Hawaii has agreed to decarbonize its transportation system over the next 21 years following a lawsuit filed by 13 children and teens concerned about the impacts of climate change. The lawsuit, Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, is the world’s first youth-led constitutional climate case focusing on transportation sector pollution. The plaintiffs argued that the state’s reliance on fossil fuels was contributing to climate change, threatening their communities and cultural practices. The settlement requires Hawaii to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions from all transportation modes by 2045 and develop a greenhouse gas reduction plan within a year.
The settlement, signed by Circuit Court Judge John M. Tonaki, also mandates the completion of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks within five years, as well as investing at least $40 million in expanding public electric vehicle charging infrastructure by 2030. Hawaii, as an isolated island chain in the Pacific, is particularly vulnerable to climate disasters and must take action to protect its residents and environment. The state will be held accountable by a judge to enforce the agreement if disputes arise. Despite settling, Hawaii is not admitting any liability or wrongdoing.
The agreement is the first of its kind between a state government and youth plaintiffs to address constitutional issues related to climate change. Attorney Andrea Rodgers, from Our Children’s Trust, the public interest law firm representing the plaintiffs, highlighted the significance of the settlement in the context of other legal battles concerning climate change in Montana, Oregon, and Europe. While the settlement was celebrated by Governor Josh Green and Director of Transportation Ed Sniffen, the state faced significant opposition during the lawsuit, spending nearly $3 million on legal fees and other costs.
Implementation of the settlement will require commitment from Hawaii’s leaders and active involvement from young people, as well as a cultural shift in a car-dependent state with heavy traffic congestion. Rodgers emphasized the importance of youth voices in the process of transitioning to a more sustainable transportation system. The settlement marks an important step towards addressing the impacts of climate change in Hawaii and serves as a model for other states and countries facing similar challenges.
