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In a groundbreaking human rights complaint, nine members of Generation Justice are calling out the Australian government’s failure to protect their futures, urging the UN to hold Australia accountable for its weak climate action and ongoing fossil fuel expansion. Ask the Federal Government to protect young Australians and ensure a safe future. |
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Generation Justice is a diverse group of Australian young people, from Larrakia Country in the tropical north to the coasts of Gumbaynggirr and Margaret River, to cities like Sydney and Canberra. They include First Nations youth, activists living with disability, migrants, and climate refugees - all of whom are united by firsthand experiences of climate change and a shared determination to fight for a livable future, and for voices like theirs to be heard. They believe the government is failing to take ambitious action on climate change by setting weak climate targets, expanding fossil fuel extraction and exports, giving billions of dollars in subsidies to the fossil fuel industry, actively pursuing policies that will increase emissions beyond 2050, and failing to set a Nationally Determined Contribution that aligns with the best available science. These actions fail to protect young Australians from future climate harms. Alongside legal advisors from Environmental Justice Australia, Generation Justice filed a human rights complaint with the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Climate Change in April 2025. This Special Rapporteur promotes the protection of human rights in the face of climate change. Australia has no national human rights Act and no duty of care enshrined in law, therefore this is an important avenue by which Australians can seek climate justice. The complaint - which you can read in full on Generation Justice’s website - is on behalf of nine young Australians who allege that, by failing to take effective climate action, the Australian government is violating their rights to life, health, culture, and a healthy environment under international law. The complaint outlines how climate change is already harming these rights while Australia continues to expand its fossil fuel industry, set inadequate emissions targets, and offer no legal avenues for redress. The personal statements of the nine young Australians tell a compelling story of how climate change is already being experienced, and highlight the urgent need for meaningful climate action and intergenerational justice. Desired outcomes: In line with the demands of Generation Justice, the Australian government can:
Why is this important?
Who to contact:
Email example: If you need some help getting started with your email, here is an example. Please don’t copy it exactly - personalise it and tailor it for the MP you are writing to. In addition, when writing to a Minister or Shadow Minister, start by saying that you’re writing to them in their role as Minister for xxxx. |
Background/context:|
[MP name] [Member for …. or Minister for ….] Dear … [Include a personal statement - who you are and why you care] I’m writing to urge you to take stronger action on climate change and support the calls of Generation Justice, a group of nine young Australians who have recently filed a human rights complaint with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Climate Change. These young people, from diverse backgrounds across Australia, are already experiencing the devastating impacts of climate change on their lives, health, and cultures. Their complaint, prepared alongside lawyers from Environmental Justice Australia, outlines how the Australian government’s ongoing support for fossil fuel expansion, weak emissions targets, and lack of legal protections are violating their fundamental human rights under international law. In support of Generation Justice, I therefore ask: Will you commit to stopping fossil fuel expansion? Will you advocate to end public subsidies for the fossil fuel industry? What action will you take to address the human rights impacts of climate change? How will you ensure young Australians are meaningfully included in developing climate solutions? I look forward to your response. Sincerely Name Address Phone (required if you want a reply) |
2. Call your MP
Here is a suggested script to get you started.
Use points from the background section above to fill it in.
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Hi, my name is ….. and I’m a voter in [your electorate]. I’d like to speak to …..[name of MP] (Staffer will probably say: I’m sorry they’re not available, can I take a message?) Yes, thank you! Would you please tell them that:
And ask them to:
Thank you! |
3. Visit your MP
Nothing beats a face-to-face conversation. Email your MP’s electorate office to ask for a meeting and follow up with a phone call a few days later. Get help on how to do this under the Democracy and Governance heading on our Climate briefings webpage.
(Last updated June 2025)
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