DUBLIN: A landmark climate lawsuit has been launched against the Irish government by claimants representing multiple generations, alleging that the state has failed to fulfil its legal and human rights obligations to tackle climate change and safeguard both present and future generations.
The case, regarded as the first of its kind in Ireland, brings together a retired grandfather, a youth climate activist, a child represented by their mother, and the public-interest legal organisation Community Law & Mediation (CLM). The claimants argue that Ireland’s current climate policies are insufficient and expose citizens to escalating environmental risks.
The legal challenge is heavily influenced by the European Court of Human Rights’ landmark 2024 KlimaSeniorinnen judgment, which ruled that Switzerland had breached human rights by failing to take adequate action against climate change. The decision established that governments have a legal responsibility to implement effective climate measures to protect their citizens.
Claimants highlight generational impact
Seventy-five-year-old Philip Kearney, one of the applicants, said climate change affects people of every age, making broad representation in the case essential.
He warned that scientific evidence points to increasingly severe consequences for younger generations, arguing that the future wellbeing of today’s children and grandchildren is being placed at serious risk by inadequate climate action.
Youth activist Saoi O’Connor, 23, who helped organise Ireland’s Fridays for Future school strikes after being inspired by Greta Thunberg, said climate change should no longer be viewed solely as a youth issue.
O’Connor argued that portraying climate change as a future concern allows policymakers to delay urgent action, despite the impacts already being felt through increasingly frequent extreme weather events. They stressed that society has failed to adopt long-term, intergenerational thinking when addressing the climate crisis.
The inclusion of a child among the claimants is intended to underscore the interests of future generations expected to experience the longest-lasting consequences of global warming.
Concerns over social inequality
Community Law & Mediation, which is participating in the case on behalf of marginalised communities, argues that climate change and the transition to a low-carbon economy disproportionately affect low-income households.
The organisation points to energy poverty as a growing concern, noting that poorer families often struggle to cope with rising energy prices while lacking the financial resources to invest in home insulation, renewable energy technologies or electric vehicles.
CLM said the lawsuit is not intended to represent a single demographic but rather everyone whose lives will be affected by climate change.
Government policies under scrutiny
The claimants allege that Ireland has retreated from its climate commitments by introducing exemptions to its own climate legislation for major infrastructure projects, including proposals to expand passenger capacity at Dublin Airport and develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.
They also argue that delays in publishing the government’s 2026 Climate Action Plan undermine Ireland’s legal obligations under existing climate laws.
If the court rules against the government, Ireland could be required to revise its Climate Action Plan and demonstrate a credible strategy for meeting legally binding emissions reduction targets.
Case awaits court hearing
Although the lawsuit was filed in 2024 and is now ready to proceed, it is currently awaiting the outcome of another climate-related legal case before the Irish courts. Community Law & Mediation hopes proceedings will begin within the next year.
Despite declining attendance at climate demonstrations since the global protests of 2019, Kearney said he continues to participate in weekly Fridays for Future protests outside Ireland’s parliament and hopes the legal challenge will renew public momentum for stronger climate action.
