Climate litigation has emerged as an important tool in addressing the gap between climate commitments and implementation. Since the late 1980s, nearly 3,000 cases have been brought worldwide, with a marked increase since the Paris Agreement in 2015. This report examines how litigation complements other forms of climate action by promoting accountability, advancing rights-based approaches and contributing to public debate and ambition.

Drawing on expert interviews, global case mapping and analysis of landmark judgments, the report traces the evolution of legal strategies, actors and venues across regions. It considers both the democratic potential of climate litigation—enhancing transparency, participation and oversight—and its risks, including backlash and over-reliance on courts. From this analysis emerges insights into the complex role of litigation in shaping climate governance and democratic legitimacy.