"Youth-led lawsuit demands companies lower CO2 emissions," 06 August 2024

Japan's first climate change lawsuit whose plaintiffs are exclusively young people... was filed...

...The 16 individuals... submitted the case at the Nagoya District Court. The aim is to stop greenhouse gas emissions hindering international climate goals.

The defendants comprise 10 companies, also from across Japan.

Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Tohoku Electric Power Co.,  Hokuriku Electric Power Co., Kansai Electric Power Co., Chugoku Electric Power Co., Shikoku Electric Power Co. and Kyushu Electric Power Co. are all involved. 

Plaintiffs also named Electric Power Development Co. (J-Power, headquartered in Tokyo), Kobe Steel Ltd., and JERA Co., jointly funded by the Tokyo Electric Power Group and Chubu Electric Power Co.  

The plaintiffs said they chose these entities because they are major emitters, accounting for 40 percent of Japan’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions...

According to the complaint, the 10 companies’ current goals do not meet the target; plaintiffs requested to halt emissions that exceed the allowed amounts based on wrongful acts under civil law...