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Climate activists are celebrating a landmark ruling in a US court which could transform the future of fossil fuel emissions.

Judge Kathy Seely, sitting at the Montana state court, ruled in favour of 16 young activists who accused the state of violating their rights by approving fossil fuel projects.

She said a state law, which prevents the consideration of the impacts of greenhouse gases when issuing permits for coal and natural gas extraction, was unconstitutional. She ruled the young people had the right to 鈥渁 clean and healthful environment鈥�. The state said it plans to appeal.

The organisation Our Children's Trust, which brought the case, called the ruling a huge win for Montana, for youth and for the climate.

Amanda Eggert is an environmental reporter for the Montana Free Press. She told Newsday: 鈥淭he state has to consider fossil fuel emissions and climate impacts when it makes permitting decisions but it does not direct the state to then stop a coal mine or stop a gas plant from being built.鈥�

(Picture: Shows the 16 plaintiffs ranging in age from 6 to 22. Credit: William Campbell / Getty Images.)

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