New research by LSE’s Grantham Institute reveals that over 230 climate-related cases against corporations and governments were filed in 2023, with a significant focus on ‘climate washing.’ Of these, 47 cases relate to misleading claims about environmental actions, with 70% ruled in favor of the claimants.
The U.S. leads in the number of climate cases, totaling 1,745 historically, with 129 new cases in 2023. Meanwhile, cases in the Global South are on the rise, exceeding 200 in countries like India. Notably, the database has now included ‘transition risk’ cases, where boards are sued for mishandling the shift to a low-carbon economy, though such cases remain limited.
Climate litigation plays a crucial role in enforcing accountability. In a landmark ruling earlier this year, the European Court of Human Rights found that Switzerland failed to protect its citizens from climate change impacts, potentially paving the way for more litigation against governments to enforce stringent climate targets.
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