Sharma v. Minister for the Environment

Eight teenage students and an octogenarian nun brought a class action lawsuit seeking to stop an expansion of a coal mine in New South Wales, Australia. The students argue that Australia's environmental minister has a common law duty of care to protect younger people from climate change.

The case was brought in September 2020 and is pending as of March 2021.

Background
Whitehaven Coal is seeking to expand its Vickery coal mine about 25 kilometers north of Gunnedah in New South Wales, Australia. In August 2020, the coal mine expansion was approved by the Independent Planning Commission of New South Wales. In September 2020, eight teenage students and an octogenarian nun brought a class action seeking an injunction to stop the coal mine. The plaintiffs argue that the Australian government has a common law duty of care to protect young people from climate change, and that by allowing the coal mine expansion to proceed they will be subjected to dangerous levels of climate change.

Relevant Law and Principles

 * Duty of Care

Status
The case, as of March 2021, has not advanced.

Takeaways
An example of a lawsuit brought to challenge a proposed fossil fuel project.

Links

 * Sabin Center Database
 * Grantham Research Institute
 * Business and Human Rights Resource Centre