MyZA

News, Directory, Events and Other Stuff

You are here: Home / News / Over 3,000 Climate Litigation Cases Are Reshaping Global Climate Policy Today

Over 3,000 Climate Litigation Cases Are Reshaping Global Climate Policy Today

Nairobi, 3 October 2025 – Climate litigation is now being pursued across more countries than ever before, according to a report […]

The post Over 3,000 climate litigation cases are reshaping global climate policy today first appeared on Impact Newswire.

Nairobi, 3 October 2025 – Climate litigation is now being pursued across more countries than ever before, according to a report published today by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Sabin Middle for Climate Change Law at Columbia University.

The report reveals how legal action is addressing issues such as greenwashing, carbon offsets, and energy-intensive data centres.

Climate Change in the courtroom: Trends, impacts, and emerging lessons is the fourth edition of a series first launched in 2017. Drawing on data from the Sabin Center’s Climate Change Litigation Databases, the report examines key trends, pending cases, and court decisions.

“Climate litigation has evolved into a powerful global tool for advancing climate action, and accountability,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “Transforming our energy, mobility, housing, and food systems must be a collective effort, through ambitious and science-based policymaking. Independent judicial systems are essential to ensuring this transformation is both just and effective.”

As of 30 June 2025, a cumulative 3,099 climate-related cases have been filed in 55 national jurisdictions and 24 international or regional courts, tribunals, or quasi-judicial bodies. This continues a trend in climate-related cases filed by 2022 (2,180 cases), 2020 (1,550 cases) and 2017 (884 cases). While cases from the Global South still represent less than 10 per cent in 2025, their share is steadily growing.

Since the first recorded climate litigation case nearly four decades ago, the field has expanded and matured. Litigation now covers virtually all aspects of climate governance, and similar patterns are appearing in litigation on related crises such as biodiversity and pollution.

The report highlights significant decisions from around the world including the landmark and recent Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, which clarifies States’ obligations in addressing climate change. Courts are increasingly recognizing the scientific basis for climate-related claims, including through attribution science that links specific extreme weather events to greenhouse gas emissions. These rulings help define global norms and obligations.

At the same time, the report also identifies anti-climate litigation is on the rise, with lawsuits aimed at deregulating environmental protections or deprioritizing environmental, social, and corporate governance issues in investments. Particularly concerning is the increase in lawsuits against public opposition to high-emitting projects, which target climate advocates, journalists, and civil society organizations.

Teju Cole

Biggest Selling Title: Open City
Short Bio: A Nigerian-American writer and photographer, Cole’s works often blend fiction and non-fiction, exploring themes of identity, migration, and the urban experience.
Read More at the Source

Category: Tag: , ,

If you feel strongly about this article then feel free to send MyZA a ‘Letter to the Editor’ using the submission form below:

Letter to the Editor

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
If this is in response to an article please include that article title here or as the lead in for the first paragraph of your Letter below.

Separate tags with commas

Localise your letter by naming the city your words are about. Add relevant words describing your subject. Single comma separated words of no more than 5
Your Name(Required)
Your Name will be linked to the website below.
Your personal, business or social media web site
Choose NO to not set up a user account on MyZA. User Accounts will allow you to submit letters under your own Author Name

3 Latest Letters to the Editor:

  • Fun South African fact

    Dear Editor Fun South African fact: towns like Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are home to world-class wine farms set in stunning, scenic surroundings. Regards Aressa Smith In Response to/From: Luxury Properties Seized in New Lottery Crackdown

  • Condolences on the Passing of Lusanda Dumke

    Statement by Leander Kruger MPL – DA Buffalo City Constituency Leader: The Democratic Alliance in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality mourns the passing of Springbok Women’s rugby player and Mdantsane trailblazer, Lusanda Dumke, who lost her battle with cancer at the age of 28. South Africa has lost an exceptional athlete, a leader, and a source…

  • Rape Kits Delivered, But…

    Statement by Nicholas Gotsell MP – DA NCOP Member on Security & Justice: The DA can confirm that 2 840 rape kits arrived in Cape Town on Monday, following sustained DA oversight and pressure after multiple police stations across the Western Cape were found to be without this critical forensic evidence tool. While this delivery…

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fun South African Fact: Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world and one of the planet’s 12 main energy centres, radiating magnetic, electric or spiritual energy.

  2. Fun South African Fact: Table Mountain, one of the iconic landmarks of South Africa, is one of the oldest mountains in the world