What the study found
The special issue finds that climate change litigation is increasingly important as a legal tool for addressing the causes and effects of climate change. It also says that international law plays a key role in shaping claimants' arguments, respondents' obligations, and available remedies.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that climate litigation matters because it is used to enforce existing international human rights and environmental obligations. They also say it helps develop new understandings of international legal norms in the context of climate change.
What the researchers tested
This is a Special Issue that examines climate change litigation through the lens of international law. The contributions discuss legal debates, doctrinal developments, and the interaction between international law and other areas of law in shaping states' and corporations' climate responsibility through litigation.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract says climate litigation is being used to enforce existing international obligations and to drive new legal understandings. It also states that most climate change litigation occurs before national courts, while international law remains an important influence on those cases.
What to keep in mind
This summary is based only on the abstract and title, so specific case studies, methods, and detailed findings from the individual contributions are not described here. The abstract does not state limitations beyond the scope of the Special Issue.
Key points
- Climate change litigation is described as a rapidly growing legal tool.
- International law shapes claimants' arguments, respondents' obligations, and available remedies.
- The special issue says litigation can help enforce existing international human rights and environmental obligations.
- The abstract says litigation also contributes to new understandings of international legal norms.
- Most climate change litigation is said to occur before national courts.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Climate change litigation is shaped by international law
- Authors:
- Denise Prévost, Machiko Kanetake, Jan Wouters
- Institutions:
- Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Asser Institute, KU Leuven, Maastricht University
- Publication date:
- 2025-12-01
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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