· 2 min read
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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