Australians take climate fight to UN

Ten Australians have lodged a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee, alleging the federal government is breaching its human rights obligations by continuing to approve and support new fossil fuel projects.

The claimants, who include First Nations leaders, a firefighter, young people and people living with disability, argue Australia's ongoing backing of coal and gas developments violates rights protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including the rights to life, family, home and culture.

The complaint follows last year's landmark advisory opinion form the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which found countries have binding obligations under international law to prevent significant climate harm and that fossil fuel production, export licensing and subsidies can constitute internationally wrongful acts.

Professor Ian Lowe, emeritus professor at Griffith University, said Australia has long had both the scientific evidence and legal framework needed to act.

"Australia has had the scientific evidence on climate change for more than thirty years. We have had the international legal obligations for almost as long," Lowe said.

"What we have lacked is a government willing to align its approval of new fossil fuel projects with either. This complaint asks the United Nations to hold Australia to commitments it has already made," he said.

The claim is being lodged under the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Australia ratified in 1991, allowing individuals to bring complaints before the UN committee.

La Trobe University senior law lecturer Julia Dehm said the case directly links Australia's fossil fuel export policies to human rights impacts.

"The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights obliges Australia to protect the right to life from foreseeable threats, and climate change is exactly that," Dehm said.

The complaint comes as Australia remains one of the world's largest fossil fuel exporters ranking second globally for coal exports and third for liquefied natural gas.

Climate Council fellow Wesley Morgan said the case reflects growing scrutiny of Australia's role in global emissions.

"The ICJ has now confirmed what they always knew that international law is on their side," Morgan said.

"A managed shift away from fossil fuels is inevitable. The question is whether Australia gets ahead of that or keeps trying to avoid its own legal obligations," he said.