Climate Change Litigation: The Case For Better Disclosure And Targets
The Appetite (And Success) For Climate Litigation Cases Is Arguably Growing
As the effects of climate change are realized and the global push toward decarbonization accelerates, various stakeholders--including nongovernmental organizations, investors, and communities--are increasingly turning to litigation according to some scholars on the topic. Indeed, the number of climate change-related court cases filed globally nearly doubled between 2017 and 2020, with more than 1,800 cases filed in 40 countries as of May 2021, three-quarters of which were lodged in the U.S., primarily related to corporate entities and governments (Setzer & Higham 2021). While many cases have failed or been delayed by procedural or COVID-19-related issues, there have been a number of significant rulings that may have wide-ranging implications, including the landmark case in May 2021, Milieudefensie et al., v. Royal Dutch Shell.
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