Surging Climate Litigation in India: Unpacking the UN Report on Rising Environmental Concerns

A recent report from the United Nations highlights a growing trend of climate litigation in India. This trend positions India as a key player in the Global South, where the use of legal action is increasingly seen as a way to tackle environmental issues. In 2025, India recorded 14 climate-related cases, an increase from 11 in 2023.

These cases address vital concerns like air pollution, deforestation, and the need for renewable energy. They also touch upon the constitutional right to a clean environment. The Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal have been proactive in incorporating climate issues into their decisions, emphasizing the government’s duty to shield its citizens from climate change impacts.

India’s judicial actions align with its national climate goals, such as reaching net-zero emissions by 2070 and boosting renewable energy sources.

Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, head of the UNEP India Office, remarked, “We must not celebrate more litigation as a solution. Tackling climate change is a shared duty.”

In Asia, Indonesia leads with 15 cases, followed by India, Pakistan with 6, and China with 5. On a global scale, the United States tops the chart with a staggering 1,986 climate-related cases, alongside Australia, Brazil, the UK, Northern Ireland, and Germany.

The report, Global Climate Litigation Report 2025: Climate Change in the Courtroom – Trends, Impacts and Emerging Lessons, was created with Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. It reports a rise in climate litigation, with over 3,099 cases filed across 55 jurisdictions, a significant jump from just 884 cases in 2017.

The findings suggest that courts are increasingly taking action on environmental laws and interpreting the Paris Agreement through themes like human rights and intergenerational justice. Notably, over 60 countries with no prior climate litigation experience have participated in international advisory proceedings, demonstrating a historic wave of legal engagement on climate issues.

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, stated, “Climate litigation is now a powerful global tool for accountability and action.” This shift signifies that litigation is no longer just a last resort; it’s becoming a transformative way to hold governments accountable and advocate for systemic change in climate governance.

Seen in this light, climate litigation represents a growing movement where people are pushing for legal accountability. This raises the question: Will these legal battles help spur more meaningful climate action or will they simply become a part of the noise in the ongoing climate crisis?

By examining current data and expert insights, it’s clear that litigation is evolving into an essential tool for advocating climate justice and responsibility.

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