Notable wins in the climate and environmental justice space to inspire us in our fight for a better, greener, and fairer world for all.

South Korea.  Top court ruled the country’s carbon neutrality law as unconstitutional

Press conference on South Korea’s Constitutional Court’s final ruling on the Korean climate litigation case. <div class= © 기후헌법소원 공동원고인단
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Press conference on South Korea’s Constitutional Court’s final ruling on the Korean climate litigation case.
© 기후헌법소원 공동원고인단

On 29 August 2024, South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled the country’s carbon neutrality law as unconstitutional for violating citizen’s rights – making it the first ruling of its kind in Asia! The petition was filed in 2020 by over 200 plaintiffs, including young activists and even infants, and is Asia’s first climate court case targeting a country’s carbon neutrality commitments. This is a major climate win for future generations, and could potentially set a precedent in the region for other climate cases.

Europe. First European Commissioner for intergenerational fairness

Activists Recreate da Vinci’s “Last Supper” as EU Leaders Meet over Dinner in Brussels. © Johanna de Tessières / Greenpeace
Greenpeace Belgium activists recreate da Vinci’s “Last Supper” in Parc Cinquantenaire to urge EU leaders meeting in Brussels following the European elections to prioritise youth and future generations.
© Johanna de Tessières / Greenpeace

In a big victory for the people, for the first time ever there will be a European Commissioner for intergenerational fairness! Greenpeace European Union (EU) has been advocating for such a role  together with the European Youth Forum, and are calling on EU leaders to protect the environmental rights and interests of youth and future generations. The new Commissioner has been tasked to develop a European intergenerational fairness strategy, so the stakes are high to make sure such process ends with clear recognition of the rights of youth and future generations in certain domains, including nature, health, social inclusion, (youth) employment, regulation of emerging technologies, public services, social rights and democracy.

Brazil. Sawré Muybu territory officially demarcated

Save the Heart of the Amazon Banner. © Greenpeace
Greenpeace Brazil activists and Munduruku Indigenous people open a banner “Save the Heart of the Amazon” in the village Sawré Muybu, in Para state.
© Greenpeace

On 25 September 2024, the Sawré Muybu territory  in the Tapajós River Basin in the heart of the Amazon rainforest was officially demarcated. The Munduruku People have been fighting for the rights to a land that has always belonged to them but is threatened by mining, illegal logging, and infrastructure projects. This is a historic and profoundly symbolic victory not only for the Munduruku, but for all Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon and Brazil. 

UK. The last coal-fired power plant closes

© Greenpeace / Alan Greig