Climate litigation has become a global phenomenon, but its future direction will increasingly be shaped by regions where comparatively little litigation has been documented. One such focal point is Asia. The region encompasses communities highly vulnerable to climate impacts alongside some of its fastest-growing economies, making its energy choices and […]
Climate Litigation
343 posts
On September 18, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) termination of the $7 billion Solar for All program was unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and vacated the EPA’s action. Four days later, on September 22, 2026, […]
On Monday, October 5, the Supreme Court will open its 2026–2027 term by hearing a climate change case, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County (Suncor). The defendant fossil fuel companies are asking the Court to hold that the Constitution and the Clean Air Act preempt state-law […]
This is the second of two posts exploring the evolution of climate change implementation litigation. Part I detailed how governments’ duties to monitor and meet their climate commitments, and have transparent and attainable climate plans, are well-defined by international, regional, and domestic courts. This post focuses on how implementation cases […]
As temperatures continue to rise at alarming rates, it is undeniable that current climate policies are not enough to meet the 1.5°C temperature limit of the Paris Agreement. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, global warming is currently on track to reach 2.8°C above preindustrial levels by 2100. However, […]
This is the second of two posts examining New Zealand’s Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendment Act 2026. Part I examined the legislation’s intervention in Smith v Fonterra and situated it within an emerging international backlash against corporate climate litigation. This post asks a different question: what does New Zealand’s […]
This is the second of three consecutive posts on corporate climate accountability. Yesterday’s post examined the Paris Judicial Court’s June 2026 ruling in Notre Affaire à Tous et al. v. TotalEnergies SE. On August 18, 2026, New Zealand’s Parliament enacted the Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendment Act 2026 (the Liability […]
This is the first of two consecutive posts on corporate climate accountability. Tomorrow’s post examines the New Zealand government’s decision to legislate away corporate climate tort before trial — a case study in what happens when governments answer the accountability question before courts can reach it. On June 25, 2026, […]