Climate Change Litigation: International Legal Perspectives

Abstract Climate change litigation is rapidly gaining importance as a legal tool to induce action against the causes and effects of climate change. This Special Issue examines the rapidly evolving area of climate change litigation through the lens of international law. While most climate change litigation occurs before national courts, international law plays a key role in shaping the arguments of claimants, the obligations of respondents, and the available remedies. Not only is climate litigation being used to enforce existing international human rights and environmental obligations, but it also drives the development of new understandings of international legal norms in the context of climate change. The contributions to this Special Issue highlight emerging legal debates, doctrinal developments, and the interaction between international law and other areas of law in shaping States’ and corporations’ climate responsibility through litigation.