A Comparative Study of Global Climate Change Litigation and Its Implications 

Shi Linmei

School of Law, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou Gansu, 730000;

Abstract: As the global climate crisis intensifies, climate change litigation has become an important pathway for climate governance across countries, presenting a pattern of global diffusion alongside localized divergence. Based on the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law database and using comparative analysis and case studies, developed and developing countries are systematically compared in terms of litigation trends, participating actors, and core claims, revealing that these differences stem from underlying economic, social, legal, and cultural factors. On this basis, suggestions are proposed including improving the legal framework, exploring differentiated judicial pathways, promoting collaborative participation among diverse actors, and strengthening damage assessment mechanisms, so as to provide references for improving judicial pathways for climate governance in different countries.

Keywords: Climate Change Litigation; Comparative Study; Developed Countries; Developing Countries

References

[1] Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science. Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation: 2025 Snapshot [R/OL]. (2025-06) [2026-01-21].

[2] Yang Zhaoxia. On the Nature of Environmental Rights [J]. China Legal Science, 2020, (02): 280–303.

[3] Li Yafei. Analysis of Standing in Environmental Public Interest Litigation [J]. Journal of Southwest Minzu University (Humanities and Social Sciences Edition), 2019, 40(03): 93–99.

[4] Zhang Zitai, Wang Lan. On the Precautionary Principle in Environmental Law in the Context of Risk Society [J]. Social Sciences, 2012, (06): 103–107.

[5] Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. Climate Change Litigation Databases, http://climatecasechart.com.

[6] Zhang Zhongli. Judicial Determination of State’s Duty of Care in Climate Change Litigation: Taking the Urgenda Foundation v. the Netherlands Case as an Example [J]. Application of Law, 2019, (18): 99–111.

[7] Gao Qi. ESG Litigation on Climate Change Response: Strategies and Pathways [J]. Oriental Law, 2023, (04): 165–177.

[8] Bian Yongmin. Analysis of the Legal Basis for Climate Change Litigation [J]. Pacific Journal, 2023, 31(03): 94–106.

[9] Han Fanlu (Hans van Loon), Wang Xiangxiu, Zhao Yongpeng. Principles and Cornerstones in the Global Legal Framework for Transnational Environmental Tort Civil Litigation [J]. Journal of Political Science and Law, 2018, (05): 150–160.

[10] Gao Lihong. Proving Causation in Climate Damage Litigation [J]. Tsinghua University Law Journal, 2024, 18(06): 190–205.

[11] Qin Tianbao, Yuan Yeyangguang. The Difficulties and Solutions of Integrating the Protection of Environmental Rights into Climate Change Actions [J]. Human Rights, 2023, (04): 143–164.