What the study found
Climate change litigation is increasingly important as a legal tool to push action on the causes and effects of climate change. The study says international law plays a key role in this field by shaping claimants’ arguments, respondents’ obligations, and the remedies available.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest this matters because climate litigation is used not only to enforce existing international human rights and environmental obligations, but also to develop new understandings of international legal norms in the context of climate change. They conclude that it helps shape States’ and corporations’ climate responsibility through litigation.
What the researchers tested
This Special Issue examines climate change litigation through the lens of international law. It focuses on litigation that mostly takes place before national courts, while looking at how international law interacts with other areas of law in these cases.
What worked and what didn't
The abstract reports that climate litigation is being used to enforce existing international obligations and to drive emerging legal debates and doctrinal developments. It also says the contributions highlight the interaction between international law and other areas of law in shaping claims about climate responsibility.
What to keep in mind
The available summary does not provide specific case studies, data, or detailed outcomes from individual contributions. It also does not describe limitations in detail.
Key points
- Climate change litigation is described as a rapidly growing legal tool for action on climate change.
- International law is said to influence claimants’ arguments, respondents’ obligations, and available remedies.
- The study says litigation is used to enforce existing international human rights and environmental obligations.
- The authors suggest climate litigation also contributes to new understandings of international legal norms.
- The abstract does not provide specific case-level results or detailed limitations.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- International law shapes climate change litigation
- Authors:
- Denise Prévost, Machiko Kanetake, Jan Wouters
- Institutions:
- Maastricht University, Asser Institute, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, KU Leuven
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-07
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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