Law and climate

Law is central terrain on which the climate crisis is being fought. Whether in the halls of international diplomacy, courtrooms, or the corridors of government ministries: much of the debate over the instruments and goals of climate policy is conducted in the language of law. Yet which laws and policies actually work, how far courts can legitimately push governments, and how legal institutions must change to meet the scale of the challenge remains deeply contested.

This spotlight brings together leading climate scholars and practitioners to address these questions. The contributions analyse landmark rulings by constitutional and human rights courts, examine developments in domestic and international climate law, and reflect on the role law and courts can play in an era of growing climate obstruction.

Articles from this spotlight have been cited in United Nations publications, leading academic journals, newspapers and court submissions in climate litigation.

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