How 16 Youth Activists Held Montana Accountable for Climate Justice

Vanessa Muñoz, PBI Intern

The growing demand for energy to power technology has environmental costs that impact vulnerable individuals and communities. Sixteen young activists in Montana dared to challenge the status quo, calling attention to the environmental impact of unchecked laws. Their passion for preserving the environment, with the support of public interest attorneys, exposed the dangers these policies posed to their future. Their landmark victory in Held v. Montana, 2024 MT 312 (Dec. 18, 2024) proves that even the most overlooked voices have the ability to hold state governments accountable for climate injustice.

This PBEye blog builds on our past blogs concerning climate justice, and climate change and environmental law. Today, we will examine how legal advocacy empowered youth plaintiffs to hold their state accountable for unconstitutional environmental practices.

The Case: Held v. Montana

In 2020, sixteen young plaintiffs made history by filing a landmark case challenging the state of Montana for failing to address climate change and mitigate hazardous greenhouse gas emissions. Our Children’s Trust and the Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) represented the plaintiffs, and many other youth and environmental organizations participated as amici curiae at the state Supreme Court.

This unprecedented case showcased the power of youth activism, demonstrating how systemic change in environmental law can be achieved for both present and future generations.

The lawsuit arose from Montana’s policies on the development and use of fossil fuels that plaintiffs argued violated their constitutional right to a clean and healthy environment, as outlined in Montana’s state constitution. The plaintiffs challenged the provision of the Montana Environmental Policy Act that “forbids the State and its agents from considering the impacts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or climate change in their environmental reviews” (the “MEPA Limitation”). (Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order, at 2). The plaintiffs highlighted the detrimental impact of greenhouse gas emissions on public health and the environment, arguing that the state’s policies were jeopardizing their future.

The Montana First Judicial District Court for Lewis and Clark County held in August 2023 that the youth plaintiffs had standing to bring the claims, that “Montana’s GHG emissions have been proven to be fairly traceable to the MEPA Limitation,” and that “Montana’s GHG emissions and climate change have been proven to be a substantial factor in causing climate impacts to Montana’s environment and harm and injury to the Youth Plaintiffs.” (Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order, at 101.) The state appealed.

In December 2024, the Montana Supreme Court ruled in favor of the youth plaintiffs, marking a significant milestone in environmental law and setting a precedent for similar cases nationwide. In its six-to-one decision, Montana’s highest court upheld the judgment in favor of the activists, finding that the state violated their right to a clean environment.

Broader Implications for Environmental Law

The impact of Held v. Montana extends beyond the state’s borders. This first-of-its-kind case exemplifies how legal advocacy and environmental activism can work hand in hand to protect communities. The case also provides a model for communities nationwide to hold their governments accountable for environmental harm.

Call to Action: Supporting Environmental Justice

Climate change is an issue affecting daily life, and cases like Held v. Montana demonstrate the transformative power of legal advocacy in addressing systemic problems.

Public interest organizations were pivotal in ensuring the success of Held v. Montana. They offered specialized legal expertise, helping to craft compelling arguments and present scientific evidence that linked Montana’s environmental policies to constitutional violations. These organizations collaborated with academia and other nonprofits to contribute critical research and data, regardless of financial standing.

For example, the work of Our Children’s Trust has been essential in vindicating the rights of youth in environmental law cases. Our Children’s Trust has opportunities to work with pro bono volunteers.

Want to learn more about organizations that drive environmental justice, and ways to get involved through pro bono legal services?

* denotes a Law Firm Pro Bono Challenge^® signatory
** denotes a Corporate Pro Bono Challenge^® signatory
† denotes a Law Firm Pro Bono Project^® member