Australia's Federal Court ruled that the government is not required to protect Torres Strait Islanders from the impacts of climate change. The decision marks a setback for Indigenous Australians seeking accountability for inadequate emissions targets. Justice Michael Wigney emphasized that the government owed no duty of care to the plaintiffs, which included Torres Strait elders. Despite acknowledging insufficient emissions targets from 2015 to 2021, he concluded their impact on global temperatures would have been negligible. This ruling leaves Indigenous communities grappling with the implications of climate change.
Justice Michael Wigney stated that the Commonwealth did not and does not owe Torres Strait Islanders the duty of care alleged by the applicants, thus ruling against their primary case in negligence.
The court ruled that the government is not obliged to shield the Torres Strait Islands from climate change effects, disappointing Indigenous rights advocates and communities.
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