Summary

Montana’s Supreme Court upheld a landmark climate ruling, affirming that the state violated its constitutional duty to protect a clean environment by permitting fossil fuel projects without considering climate impacts.

The 6-1 decision supports a 2020 lawsuit by 16 young Montanans, who argued climate change harms their lives through worsening wildfires, drought, and environmental degradation.

The court rejected the state’s claims about its minimal global impact, calling such reasoning flawed.

Montana must now assess greenhouse gas emissions for future permits, despite Republican criticism of judicial overreach and potential economic fallout.