FILE – People climb near the 7,657ft (2,334m) peak of Hafelekar in the Alps in Innsbruck, Austria January 2, 2023. A dozen miners have filed a lawsuit in the highest court of Austria to try to force the government to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected by taking tougher action on climate change. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

BERLIN (AP) — A dozen miners have filed a lawsuit in Austria’s highest court in an attempt to force the government to secure their constitutional rights with stronger measures against climate change.

A lawyer for the group says the case in the Constitutional Court builds on a similar lawsuit in Germany that led to the German government setting new targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions two years ago .

His lawyer, Michaela Kroemer, said Austria’s 2011 climate law did not sufficiently protect his plaintiffs, aged between five and 16, from the deadly consequences of climate change. Specifically, he said the Alpine country’s climate law violates minors’ right to “generational justice” enshrined in Austria’s constitution.

The lawsuit is supported by climate change youth group Fridays for Future, inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, and supported financially by donations, Kroemer said.

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