Separation of Powers and KlimaSeniorinnen

Amid governments’ unwillingness to effectively curb climate change, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has delivered a bold judgment in favor of a viable future for all in the case KlimaSeniorinnen and Others v. Switzerland (“KlimaSeniorinnen”). The ruling made judicial history. Many claim for the better, as it’s widely […]

The European Court of Human Rights’ April 9 Climate Rulings and the Future (Thereof)

Across Europe, activists of all ages have taken to the streets to pressure their governments to take effective action against climate change. As domestic decision-makers failed them, they knocked at Strasbourg’s door. Three generations of right-holders turned to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR): senior women, young citizens, and […]

The Paris Effect: Human Rights in Light of International Climate Goals and Commitments

The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the case Verein KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland is a striking example of the Paris effect: the influence of the non-binding collective goals of the Paris Agreement (PA) on the interpretation of domestic constitutional law or international human rights law in […]

To Protect New Fossil Fuel Waste Rule, BLM Cuts 95% of its Climate Benefits

In November of 2022, when the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) proposed new rules  to control venting, flaring, and leaks from oil and gas leases on federal land (the “Fossil Fuel Waste Rule”), they noted that these leasing rules would have an enormous ancillary climate benefit. […]

Legal Issues in Oceanic Transport of Carbon Dioxide for Sequestration: Sabin Center Launches New Report

A new report published today by the Sabin Center examines the laws governing international transport of carbon dioxide for sequestration. We focus, specifically, on the shipping of carbon dioxide that was captured in Europe to the United States for sequestration there. Much of the report would also be relevant to […]

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Vincent Nolette joins the Sabin Center as Equitable Cities Climate Law Fellow

Vincent Nolette joins our team at the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law as the Equitable Cities Climate Law Fellow. His work will support the Center’s Cities Climate Law Initiative and include research on city-level law and policy at the intersection of climate and racial wealth equity. Before joining the […]

Exploring the Intersection of Human Rights and the Climate Crisis: Insights from new “Advisory Opinion on Climate Change” Report

Today, the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law published a new report titled Advisory Opinion On Climate Change: Summary of Written Observations Submitted to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (Part 1). Faced with an escalating climate emergency, the global community is increasingly turning to international courts and tribunals for guidance on addressing […]

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The European Court of Human Rights’ Kick into Touch: Some Comments under Carême v. France

On April 9, 2024, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled on three applications concerning the fight against climate change and the positive obligations of the signatory states of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in this respect. Two of the applications were declared inadmissible (Duarte Agostinho and […]