As the climate crisis escalates, courts worldwide are becoming battlegrounds for accountability, with climate litigation emerging as a pivotal tool to enforce environmental responsibility. According to the Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation, Snapshot by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, a staggering 226 new climate-related cases were filed in 2024, pushing the global total to nearly 3,000 since 1986. Spanning nearly 60 countries, these lawsuits are reshaping climate governance, targeting governments, corporations, and even financial institutions.
A Global Surge in Climate Lawsuits
The United States leads with 1,899 cases, followed by Australia (164), the UK (133), Brazil (131), and Germany (60), but the Global South is seeing rapid growth, particularly in Brazil, South Africa, and India. In Brazil, courts are setting precedents by affirming liability for climate-related harm, ordering compensation and restoration for damages caused by deforestation and emissions. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Australia are witnessing litigation that drives new climate legislation, focusing on duties of care, due diligence, and human rights protections.
“Polluter Pays” Gains Momentum
A key trend highlighted in the 2025 report is the rise of “polluter pays” cases, with 11 new filings in 2024, bringing the total to over 80 since 2015. These cases seek to hold fossil fuel companies and other high emitters accountable for climate-related damages. In the US, “climate superfund” laws are gaining traction, enabling states and municipalities to recover costs from major polluters for climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. A landmark ruling in Germany in May 2025 further solidified this trend, finding major emitters liable for climate harm under civil law—a decision poised to influence future litigation globally.
Corporate Accountability in the Spotlight
One in five new cases in 2024 targeted private sector actors, including fossil fuel giants, agricultural companies, and financial institutions supporting high-emitting industries. From lawsuits against airlines for “climate-washing” to actions against banks for financing fossil fuel projects, litigants are expanding their focus beyond traditional energy sectors. In Poland, shareholders of Enea successfully sued former directors over risky coal investments, signaling a growing trend of holding corporate leadership accountable for mismanaging climate risks.
International Courts and New Legal Frontiers
Climate litigation is also reaching apex courts and international tribunals. In 2024, the European Court of Human Rights’ ruling in KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland recognized climate inaction as a human rights violation, while the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea classified greenhouse gas emissions as marine pollution, imposing obligations on states. These rulings are sparking new cases, with advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights expected in 2025 to further clarify state and corporate climate obligations.
Why It Matters
“Climate litigation is no longer a niche concern; it’s a financial and legal risk for governments and companies alike,” said Catherine Higham, Senior Policy Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute. With nearly 3,000 cases filed globally, litigation is driving policy changes, enforcing accountability, and shaping corporate behavior. From Brazil’s deforestation lawsuits to the Philippines’ push for rights-based climate laws, courts are proving to be a critical arena for climate justice.
As public awareness grows and extreme weather events intensify, experts predict a continued rise in cases, particularly those addressing climate migration, Indigenous rights, and extreme weather liability. For businesses, the message is clear: ignoring climate risks invites legal and financial consequences.
