Hawaii has reached a landmark settlement in a lawsuit brought by 13 children and teens over climate change, requiring significant changes to the state's transportation system. The case, Navahine v. Hawaii Department of Transportation, is the first youth-led constitutional climate case globally focused on transportation-related climate pollution.
The settlement mandates Hawaii to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions across all transportation modes by 2045 and to create a greenhouse gas reduction plan within a year. This includes ground, sea, and air interisland transportation. The state will also invest $40 million in expanding the public electric vehicle charging network by 2030 and complete pedestrian, bicycle, and transit networks within five years. 👏
The lawsuit, filed in June 2022, claimed that Hawaii's transportation system violated the state constitution by harming the climate and compromising the right to a clean and healthy environment. This historic deal marks the first of its kind between a state government and youth plaintiffs addressing constitutional issues related to climate change.
Despite the state’s initial resistance and significant legal expenses, Governor Josh Green and Director of Transportation Ed Sniffen ultimately collaborated with the plaintiffs to reach this agreement. The settlement requires a long-term commitment from Hawaii’s leaders and a cultural shift towards less car dependency. Engaging youth voices in the implementation process will be vital for the state's transition to a sustainable transportation system.
