女性改寫氣候法

由Goldman Environmental Foundation主辦的全球環境獎項近日公布得主，表彰來自世界各地的草根環境行動者。今年共有六名女性獲獎，創下該獎項自1989年設立以來首次「全女性得主」的紀錄，凸顯女性在全球環境運動中的影響力持續擴大。

The Goldman Environmental Foundation has announced this year’s winners of its global environmental prize, recognizing grassroots activists from around the world. Notably, the 2025 cohort consists entirely of women, marking the first all-female group of recipients since the award was established in 1989 and highlighting the growing influence of women in environmental advocacy.

其中，英國環境倡議者Sarah Finch的獲獎備受關注，主因其推動的法律行動促成英國氣候治理的重要里程碑。

Among the honorees, UK-based activist Sarah Finch stands out for her role in advancing a landmark legal decision that has reshaped climate governance in the United Kingdom.

UK Supreme Court Ruling Redefines Climate Assessment

英國最高法院判決重塑氣候審查標準

Finch的倡議最終促成2024年Supreme Court of the United Kingdom的一項關鍵裁決。該案被廣泛稱為「Finch判決」，明確要求政府在核准化石燃料開採計畫時，必須納入燃燒階段所產生的氣候影響。

Finch’s advocacy culminated in a pivotal 2024 ruling by the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. Commonly referred to as the “Finch ruling,” the decision requires authorities to account for emissions generated from the combustion of fossil fuels when approving new extraction projects.

This ruling addressed a long-standing regulatory gap, where assessments had focused primarily on emissions from extraction rather than end-use combustion. Experts say the decision aligns UK law more closely with climate science and strengthens the legal foundation for climate litigation.

此判決補足過去監管上的重大缺口——即僅評估開採過程排放，而忽略最終使用階段的碳排放。專家指出，此舉使英國氣候法規更貼近科學共識，也強化了氣候訴訟的法律基礎。

政策外溢效應：能源與產業開發受影響

該判決已對英國能源與產業政策產生實質影響。包括北海多項新油氣開發計畫遭到阻擋、大型煤礦計畫被迫中止，以及部分大型農業開發案在審查過程中納入更嚴格的氣候評估。

環保團體指出，這項裁決不僅改變審查流程，更重新定義企業與政府在氣候責任上的界線，將「使用端排放」正式納入政策決策。

草根行動推動制度性變革

Policy Spillover Across Energy and Industry

The ruling has already had significant implications for energy and industrial development in the UK. It has been cited in decisions blocking new oil and gas developments in the North Sea, halting a major coal mine project, and influencing the approval process for large-scale agricultural developments by introducing stricter climate assessments.

Environmental groups argue that the decision not only alters regulatory procedures but also redefines accountability by formally incorporating downstream emissions into policy decisions.

Grassroots Action Driving Structural Change

環保組織普遍對Finch的獲獎表示肯定，認為該案例證明草根倡議能有效推動制度性變革。此次判決也被視為全球氣候訴訟發展的重要參考案例，可能影響其他司法管轄區對類似案件的判決方向。

Goldman Environmental Foundation指出，今年得主展現出強大的社區動能與領導力，凸顯在全球環境治理日益複雜的背景下，地方行動仍是推動變革的核心力量。

Advocacy groups have welcomed Finch’s recognition, emphasizing the case as a powerful example of how grassroots activism can drive systemic change. The ruling is also seen as a reference point for climate litigation globally, with potential implications for judicial decisions in other jurisdictions.

The Goldman Environmental Foundation highlighted the leadership and determination of this year’s winners, underscoring the critical role of community-driven efforts in addressing complex global environmental challenges.

全球女性環境行動者崛起

Rising Global Movement of Women Environmental Leaders

除Finch外，今年另外五位女性得主分別來自不同地區，涵蓋奈及利亞的生態保育、韓國的青年氣候訴訟、阿拉斯加原住民族環境倡議、哥倫比亞反壓裂運動，以及巴布亞紐幾內亞的環境正義行動。

In addition to Finch, five other women from diverse regions were honored for their contributions, including conservation work in Nigeria, youth-led climate litigation in South Korea, Indigenous activism in Alaska, anti-fracking campaigns in Colombia, and environmental justice initiatives in Papua New Guinea.

整體而言，本屆得主呈現出全球環境運動的多元樣貌，也反映出草根層級的行動者正逐步影響政策、企業與國際治理架構。過去多位得主後續更進入政府、國際組織及公民社會領導階層，顯示此類獎項對環境治理人才培育具有長期影響。

Collectively, the winners reflect a growing global movement of grassroots environmental leaders who are increasingly shaping policy, corporate behavior, and international governance frameworks. Many past recipients have gone on to assume leadership roles in governments, international organizations, and civil society, demonstrating the long-term impact of such recognition on environmental leadership development.