The report finds, as of July 1, 2020, at least 1,550 climate change cases have been filed in 38 countries around the world. Key trends in those cases include increasing numbers of matters premised on fundamental and human rights; challenging domestic enforcement and non-enforcement of climate-related laws; seeking to stop fossil fuel extraction and use; arguing for corporate liability for climate harms; addressing failures to adapt and the impacts of adaptation measures; and advocating for increased climate disclosures. The report provides a fresh analysis of the recurring legal issues that appear in most of these cases and discusses likely future directions for climate litigation in light of both accelerating climate impacts and the changing legal landscape.
The full report is available from UNEP. A previous report, from 2017, is available here.
Adapted from a post on the Sabin Center Climate Law Blog.