Campaigners urged legal protections for future generations
Youth climate advocates criticised the Federal Treasury’s Intergenerational Report on 21 September 2026, arguing future generations will bear the cost of climate pollution.
Its list included Duty of Care Campaign founder Anjali Sharma in Canberra, economist and Climate Councillor Nicki Hutley in Sydney, Climate for Change programs manager Mary Pilkinton in Sydney. Australian Youth Climate Coalition communications lead and NSW grassroots mentor Gia Mehdi, 23.
Anjali Sharma pushes climate duty of care
Sharma campaigns for what she calls intergenerational climate equity. She previously led a class action by young people against the federal environment minister and now wants a legislated Climate Duty of Care.
She said the Treasurer’s report was “pointless” if the government failed to tackle what she described as the greatest challenge of the time.
Sharma also argued Australian governments must legislate a duty of care to protect young people and future generations. Without that step, she said, attempts to forecast the next 40 years were futile.
In a separate warning, Sharma rejected what she called “empty promises of intergenerational fairness” and called for serious protections now.
Meanwhile, Pilkinton, 26, said it was terrifying to think Australia could still be digging up coal and gas when she is a grandmother in her 70s.
She works for Climate for Change, a nonprofit that aims to help Australians have better conversations about climate change.
Related: Parents dispute Intergenerational Report debt outlook
