Sharp rise in number of climate lawsuits against companies, report says

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Guardian or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The number of climate lawsuits against companies is rising rapidly, with 230 cases filed since 2015, most of them since 2020
• The Grantham Research Institute reports that many of these lawsuits, especially those concerning "climate-washing," have been successful

🔭 The context: Climate-washing litigation, where companies are accused of misrepresenting their environmental efforts, saw 47 cases in 2023 alone
• More than 30 cases last year involved the "polluter pays" principle, and six targeted financial flows that impede climate goals
• The majority of these lawsuits were filed in the US, with the UK and Brazil following

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: These lawsuits hold companies accountable for their environmental impact, driving greater transparency and genuine climate action
• Successful litigation can lead to significant changes in corporate practices and support global climate goals

⏭️ What's next: The trend of climate litigation is expected to grow, potentially influencing corporate behavior and climate policies worldwide
• The long-term impact of these cases remains to be seen, but they signal increased scrutiny of corporate environmental claims

💬 One quote: "Climate litigation has become an undeniably significant trend in how stakeholders are seeking to advance climate action and accountability," said Andy Raine, head of international environment law at UNEP

📈 One stat: The US accounted for 129 of the 230 climate litigation cases filed in 2023, the highest number globally

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