Theoretical Challenges of Corporate Legal Accountability for Climate Change

Abstract This article explores the limitations and possibilities within modern legal theory to provide for a firm theoretical grounding for corporate accountability for climate change. The article first acknowledges the scientific consensus on climate change and the need for corporate responsibility in addressing its effects. It then examines the current legal framework, including national, supranational, and international regulations, which range from emissions targets to adaptation strategies. The article then argues that while modern legal theory may be insufficient to fully grasp the complexities of corporate accountability for climate change, particularly in transnational contexts, its complete overhaul is still not necessary. The challenge lies in recognizing the pluralist nature of modern legal practices and integrating them in the developing theoretical frameworks to effectively address the multifaceted nature of corporate accountability for climate change.