Companies face rising number of climate lawsuits

The number of climate lawsuits against corporations worldwide has surged, with over 230 cases filed since 2015, mostly after 2020.

Antonia Langford reports for The Guardian.

In short:

• Climate-washing, where companies are accused of misleading environmental progress, saw 47 cases in 2023.
• The US led with 129 cases filed in 2023, followed by the UK with 24.
• New climate litigation cases emerged in Panama and Portugal in 2023, adding to the 55 countries recording such cases.
• A growing number of cases were filed in the global south.

Key quote:

"Climate litigation ... has become an undeniably significant trend in how stakeholders are seeking to advance climate action and accountability."

— Andy Raine, head of international environment law at the United Nations Environment Programme

Why this matters:

Increasing litigation pressures companies to get on board with climate goals, potentially changing corporate behaviors. The rise in climate-washing cases reflects growing scrutiny of environmental claims, which could lead to more honest and effective corporate climate actions.