Global Climate Change Litigation Report 2024–2025: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of global climate change litigation trends from 2024 through May 2025, with a strong focus on the alignment of these legal actions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utilizing data primarily from the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law’s databases, the report offers both quantitative and qualitative insights into case filings worldwide, highlighting their implications for sustainable development.

Report Structure

1. Part I: Overview of case numbers and key actors, including new analysis of cases reaching apex courts, relevant to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
2. Part II: Examination of climate-aligned strategic litigation, focusing on judicial outcomes that support SDG 13 (Climate Action).
3. Part III: Analysis of non-climate-aligned strategic cases, exploring their diversity and nuances in relation to sustainable development challenges.
4. Part IV: Assessment of climate litigation impacts beyond courts, including effects on climate governance, legislation, financial markets, and corporate behavior, advancing SDGs 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Key Insights and SDG Implications

• Case Filings and Strategic Litigation: In 2024, at least 226 new climate cases were filed, totaling 2,967 cases across nearly 60 countries. Over 80% of these filings were strategic, supporting SDG 13 by promoting legal accountability for climate action.
• Geographical Trends: The United States maintained a stable filing rate with 164 cases, reflecting ongoing commitment to SDG 16. Meanwhile, the Global South experienced dynamic growth, with nearly 60% of cases filed since 2020, emphasizing the importance of inclusive climate justice aligned with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
• Governmental Roles: Governments, regulatory agencies, and public prosecutors initiated 56% of cases in the Global South in 2024, indicating a shift towards enforcement and compensation for localized climate damages, such as deforestation in Brazil. This supports SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• International Legal Developments: The International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea’s advisory opinion in May 2024 affirmed states’ obligations to control greenhouse gas emissions from marine sources, reinforcing SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13.
• Apex Court Cases: Between 2015 and 2024, 276 climate-related cases reached apex courts globally, with over 80% involving government defendants. Cases against corporate defendants showed higher success rates, highlighting the role of judicial systems in enforcing corporate responsibility under SDG 12 and SDG 16.
• Implementation of Landmark Judgments: The report notes increased focus on enforcing landmark rulings such as the KlimaSeniorinnen judgment, crucial for translating legal victories into tangible climate action supporting SDG 13.
• Corporate Litigation: Approximately 20% of 2024 cases targeted companies or their leadership, expanding to sectors like professional services and agriculture. Notable cases such as Milieudefensie v. Shell and Lliuya v. RWE affirmed corporate duties to mitigate climate harm, aligning with SDG 12 and SDG 13.
• Scope 3 Emissions Scrutiny: Courts increasingly emphasized the need to consider downstream emissions in project assessments, promoting rigorous environmental impact evaluations consistent with SDG 13 and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
• Broader Impacts: Climate litigation’s influence extends to governance, legislation, and financial decision-making, fostering partnerships and responsible investment practices that advance SDG 17 and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article focuses primarily on climate change litigation, which directly relates to SDG 13’s goal to combat climate change and its impacts.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Climate litigation involves judicial processes, apex courts, and legal enforcement, linking to SDG 16’s aim to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and access to justice.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Cases related to deforestation in Brazil and localised climate damages connect to SDG 15, which focuses on sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Litigation targeting companies’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agendas and emissions relates to SDG 12’s focus on sustainable consumption and production patterns.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning – reflected in litigation influencing climate governance and legislation.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning – implied through strategic climate litigation raising awareness.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all – evident in the use of courts and apex judicial bodies for climate-related cases.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions – suggested by government bodies initiating enforcement actions and compensation cases.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation – linked to litigation addressing deforestation impacts in Brazil.
4. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices and integrate sustainability information into reporting cycle – reflected in cases targeting corporate ESG agendas and emissions.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Number of Climate Litigation Cases Filed
   • The report quantifies cases filed globally (2,967 total, 226 new in 2024), which can serve as an indicator of legal engagement on climate action (related to SDG 13 and SDG 16 targets).
2. Proportion of Strategic Climate Cases
   • Over 80% of 2024 filings are strategic, indicating the quality and intent of litigation efforts towards climate goals.
3. Cases Initiated by Government Bodies
   • 56% of cases in 2024 were initiated by governments, indicating institutional engagement and enforcement (relevant to SDG 16 targets).
4. Cases Reaching Apex Courts
   • 276 cases reached apex courts between 2015-2024, showing judicial recognition and potential impact on policy and governance.
5. Corporate Climate Litigation Outcomes
   • Success rates of cases against corporate defendants and legal recognition of corporate duties to combat climate change can be used to measure progress under SDG 12 and SDG 13.
6. Implementation of Landmark Judgments
   • Attention to implementation of judgments like KlimaSeniorinnen reflects progress towards enforcement of climate policies.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: lse.ac.uk