Chapter 06 · Governance & regulationGovernance, Ethics & Risk
Climate litigation
Definition
Climate litigation is legal action connected to climate change, emissions, adaptation, disclosure, duties or climate-related claims.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Climate litigation” is defined and used.
Overview
What it means in practice
Climate litigation should be read as a governance, ethics and risk term. Its meaning depends on the role, authority, control, legal context and decision being assessed.
In practice, users should state the boundary, actor, evidence and decision context. That keeps climate litigation specific enough for review without turning it into a generic assurance claim.
Why it matters
Climate litigation matters because governance language determines who is accountable, what is controlled and how risks are escalated. Clear definitions reduce the chance that responsibility is implied but not operational.
Common misconception
A common error is to treat Climate litigation as proof that governance is effective. The stronger approach is to state the owner, mandate, control, evidence and limits of authority.
Review questions
Who is responsible, and who is affected? What evidence supports the term? What limitation, authority or remedy would change how a reader interprets it?
How it is used
Policymakers, regulators, legal teams, boards and organisations use “Climate litigation” in legislation, policies, governance systems, contracts, oversight and compliance decisions. In each case, the user should state the applicable jurisdiction, legal or policy text, effective date, scope and responsible actor; otherwise, the same term may be applied to materially different situations.
In this context, it refers to legal action connected to climate change, emissions, adaptation, disclosure, duties or climate-related claims.