The Cambridge Handbook on Climate Litigation

This book examines critical themes in climate change litigation, identifies emerging best practices, and assesses the potential for replicable solutions worldwide.

Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh (Edited by), Sarah Mead (Edited by)

9781009409179, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 31 July 2025

564 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 3.2 cm, 1.01 kg

With over 2,500 climate-related cases filed worldwide, climate litigation is rapidly evolving but lacks a comprehensive resource for guiding judicial approaches. The Cambridge Handbook on Climate Litigation fills this void, offering an authoritative guide to climate litigation's complex landscape. Judges, lawyers and scholars will find insights into how courts globally have addressed recurring issues, from causation to human rights impacts. Building on the rich transnational judicial dialogue already occurring within climate litigation, the Handbook distills emerging best practices with an eye towards the progressive development of the field. Its unique focus on replicable strategies in case law makes it a strategic resource for shaping the future of climate litigation. This title is also available as open access on Cambridge Core.

1. Introduction Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh and Sarah Mead
2. A Scientific Overview of Climate Change Sarah Connors, Elvira Poloczanska, Shreya Some, Minal Pathak and Joeri Rogelj
3. Attribution Science: Insights into Climate Change and Its Consequences Carly A. Phillips, L. Delta Merner and Friederike Otto
Part I. Preliminary Issues: 4. Standing Randall S. Abate
5. Admissibility Juan Auz
6. Separation of Powers Christina Eckes, Jasmina Nedevska and Joana Setzer
Part II. Merits: 7. Human Rights Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh and Lucy Maxwell
8. Extraterritoriality Mark Gibney
9. Duty of Care Christina Voigt and Joe Udell
10. International Atmospheric Trust Rachel M. Pemberton and Michael C. Blumm
11. Rights of Nature Susana Borràs-Pentinat
Part III. Regime Interaction and Interpretation: 12. International Law Sarah Mead and Meinhard Doelle
13. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities Patricia Galvao Ferreira
14. Intergenerational Equity
Sam Bookman and Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh
Part IV. Liability and Evidence: 15. State Responsibility Annalisa Savaresi
16. Causation Lisa Benjamin and Sara Seck
17. Climate Causality: From Causation to Attribution Petra Minnerop
18. Remedies Juan Auz and Marcela Zúñiga
19. Recent Landmark Decisions: Advancing Climate Litigation and State Obligations Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh and Joe Udell
20. Conclusion: The Future of Climate Litigation Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh and Sarah Mead.

Subject Areas: Public international law [LBB]