Most cases have been brought against governments but new arguments involving high emitters in the private sector are likely to increase moving forward
* Climate-related litigation poised to ramp-up further
* Private sector and governments are prime targets
* Advocates see courts as avenue to effect broader change
Climate-related litigation has soared globally since 2015, with governments and private firms facing unprecedented challenges over their emissions,
Almost 55% of 1,841 cases brought to 13 courts in 40 countries between 1986 and May this year were filed since 2015, the year of the Paris Agreement to limit to limit global warming to 1.5 Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the study found.
"The number of 'strategic' cases is dramatically on the rise," said the
"Litigation that is aligned with climate goals is on balance seeing success and there has been a run of important wins in the last 12 months."
A Dutch court issued a landmark ruling in May, ordering
Shell vowed to appeal the ruling.
The
Most cases assessed by the LSE were brought against governments but new arguments involving high emitters in the private sector are likely to increase moving forward, LSE co-author
"There is more diversity in the arguments being used, incorporating, for example, themes of greenwashing and fiduciary duty. Businesses need to be aware of litigation risk," the report said.
Of 369 decided cases, 58% were favourable to climate change action, 32% were unfavourable, and 10% had neutral outcomes, the study found, with lawsuits brought in
"What we see is truly a change in the landscape - the addition and engagement of the law," he said.
"The law has a responsibility in such a situation to enforce the principles that we believe are at stake," he said, referring to climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement and broader human rights issues.
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