By Abdullahi Lukman
Climate-related legal cases are being pursued in more countries than ever, highlighting the growing role of courts in advancing climate action and accountability, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Columbia University’s Sabin Centre for Climate Change Law.
The report, Climate Change in the Courtroom: Trends, Impacts, and Emerging Lessons, shows that as of June 30, 2025, over 3,000 climate cases have been filed across 55 national jurisdictions and 24 international or regional courts.
This marks a sharp rise from 884 cases in 2017 and 2,180 cases in 2022. Although less than 10 percent of cases come from the Global South, their number is steadily increasing.
Litigation now covers a broad spectrum of climate governance issues, including challenges against greenwashing, carbon offsets, and energy-intensive data centers.
The report highlights landmark rulings such as the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion clarifying state obligations on climate change and courts using scientific attribution to link emissions to extreme weather events, setting global legal precedents.
UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen emphasized the importance of independent judiciaries to ensure fair and effective climate policies, stating that systemic change across energy, mobility, housing, and food systems requires collective, science-based action.
The report also raises concerns over a rise in anti-climate litigation aimed at weakening environmental protections and targeting climate advocates, journalists, and civil society opposing high-emission projects.
This latest analysis underscores the dual role of courts in both driving climate progress and facing pushback, reflecting the complex legal landscape shaping global climate governance.