The court found that the US Govt had no explanation for failing to regulate vehicle emissions. (Lateline)

Environmentalists hail US emissions ruling

Green groups say a US Supreme Court decision on greenhouse gas emissions is a watershed that could see change in Australia.

Five justices to four ruled that the US Government had a legal duty under the country's Clean Air Act to restrict greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and trucks.

It found that the Bush administration offered no reasonable explanation for its refusal to regulate the emissions.

David Bookbinder is a senior lawyer for the large US environment group, The Sierra Club, and says the administration must now move to do so.

"We have no credibility with any other country on Earth because we've refused to do anything else about it," he said.

"But once we start down the path of comprehensive legislation and truly addressing our own greenhouse gas emissions, we can sit down at the table with the rest of the world and try to figure out the solution for the whole planet."

Greenpeace Australia's Catherine Fitzpatrick says the ruling sends an important message to all governments, including Australia's.

"When you get the world's largest polluter of greenhouse gas emissions having their Supreme Court rule that greenhouse gases need to be taken into account and possibly regulated, then it's a loud signal to the rest of the world, not just the US but to many countries around the world," she said.

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