Climate Change Litigation: The Role of Courts in Holding Corporations Accountable for Environmental Damage

Abstract

Climate change litigation has emerged as a powerful mechanism for enforcing corporate environmental accountability in the United States. This article examines the evolving landscape of climate litigation against corporations, analyzing how courts are increasingly willing to hold fossil fuel companies and other high-emission entities responsible for their contributions to climate change. Through an examination of legal precedents, regulatory frameworks, and emerging trends from 2017-2022, this research demonstrates that litigation has become a critical tool for compelling corporate climate action where regulatory mechanisms have proven insufficient. The analysis reveals that while the number of climate cases has more than doubled since 2017, reaching over 1,500 cases in the United States by 2022, the financial and reputational impacts on corporations are becoming increasingly significant, with firms experiencing average stock value declines of 0.41% following climate litigation filings.