Climate litigation has exploded globally, with over 3,000 cases now active across 55 national and 24 international jurisdictions and courts.
A new report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University reveals how these legal actions are profoundly influencing climate policy, tackling issues from greenwashing and carbon offsets to energy-intensive data centers.
“Climate litigation has evolved into a powerful global tool for advancing climate action, and accountability,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UNEP. “Independent judicial systems are essential to ensuring this transformation is both just and effective.”
Exponential growth in climate cases:
The report, “Climate Change in the courtroom: Trends, impacts, and emerging lessons,” the fourth in a series, details an accelerating trend. From 884 cases in 2017 to 2,180 in 2022, the count has surged to a cumulative 3,099 by June 30, 2025. While the Global South still accounts for less than 10% of cases, its share is steadily increasing, broadening the geographical reach of this legal movement.
Defining norms and accountability:
Litigation now covers nearly every facet of climate governance. Landmark decisions, such as the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion clarifying States’ climate obligations, are highlighted in the report. Courts are increasingly accepting the scientific basis of climate claims, including attribution science that links specific extreme weather events to greenhouse gas emissions. These rulings are crucial in defining global norms and accountability for climate action.
Rise of anti-climate lawsuits:
Despite this progress, the report also identifies a worrying counter-trend: a rise in anti-climate litigation. These lawsuits aim to deregulate environmental protections or deprioritize ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance) in investments. Particularly concerning are cases targeting climate advocates, journalists, and civil society organizations for their opposition to high-emitting projects, threatening to stifle public discourse and advocacy.
The report confirms climate litigation has matured into a vital global mechanism. Surging past 3,000 cases, courts are defining clear state obligations and enforcing climate action against political and corporate inertia. This judicial enforcement is essential for achieving a just and rapid global transformation.
