As of June 30, 2025, climate litigation is on the rise. There have been 3,099 climate-related cases filed across 55 countries and in 24 international courts, according to a report from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Columbia University’s Sabin Centre for Climate Change Law. This marks a significant increase from 2,180 cases in 2022 and just 884 in 2017.
While most cases still come from the Global North, interest is growing in the Global South, where the number of cases is slowly increasing. Climate litigation has broadened tremendously since the first known case nearly 40 years ago. Today, it addresses many aspects of climate governance, including issues like biodiversity loss and pollution.
The report emphasizes that courts are now tackling problems like greenwashing and energy-intensive data centers. UNEP’s Executive Director, Inger Andersen, views these lawsuits as key to fostering climate action and accountability. She stresses the importance of independent judicial systems for effective climate policy transformation, stating that changes to our energy, transport, housing, and food systems need collective effort backed by science and ambitious policy.
One recent landmark ruling is from the International Court of Justice, which clarified what countries must do to combat climate change. Courts are increasingly recognizing the scientific evidence linking climate change to extreme weather events, shaping global norms and responsibilities as a result.
However, the report also raises concerns. It highlights a troubling rise in anti-climate litigation aimed at dismantling environmental protections. This includes lawsuits against activists, journalists, and civil society groups who oppose high-emission projects.
These developments illustrate that the landscape of climate litigation is complex and diverse, shaped by various actors and legal strategies. It not only addresses climate change but is becoming a model for tackling related issues like plastic pollution and biodiversity loss.
For more details, you can explore the full report here.
