climate litigation
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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.
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.
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