Anti-coal protests, like this one in Berlin, highlight Poland's dependence on the climate-polluting fuel as it prepares to host the latest UN climate talks. Photo credit: Michele Tantussi/Getty Images By Isabella Kaminski Greenpeace has threatened to sue Poland’s biggest energy company if it does not take concrete action to reduce its climate impacts. Greenpeace…
Young people in Canada are launching a suit against the Canadian government for failure to reduce emissions, despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's support of the Paris Climate Agreement. Photo credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images By Dana Drugmand Canada is likely to be the next national government to face a climate lawsuit launched by young people. The class action suit…
Vanuatu was devastated by Cyclone Pam in 2015 and said it is desperate for financial help to survive climate change's ongoing impacts. Photo credit: Dave Hunt-pool/Getty Images By Dana Drugmand Officials in the South Pacific island of Vanuatu said they are considering suing fossil fuel companies and nations that support the industry…
A Dutch appeals court recently upheld the landmark Urgenda climate ruling, but the government said it will appeal again. Photo credit: Chantal Bekker/Urgenda Foundation By Ucilia Wang The Dutch government announced it will appeal a ruling in the landmark Urgenda case that requires the government to reduce emissions to…
Attorney Roda Verheyen, left, testified that the law could evolve to hold climate polluters responsible for human rights violations. Photo credit: Germanwatch By Isabella Kaminski The possibility of holding companies legally responsible for human rights violations was the latest aspect discussed in the Philippines Commission for Human…
Shell pension fund managers are being queried over how they are protecting members' investments from climate risks. Photo: Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images By Ucilia Wang A former Shell employee in the United Kingdom is challenging the managers of the company’s pension fund to prove they are protecting…
Poland still generates 80 percent of its electricity from coal and environmental watchdogs say a newly approved coal plant carries unsustainable financial risks as Europe tries to reduce coal use. Photo credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images By Isabella Kaminski A Polish state-controlled energy company is believed to be the first in the world to be sued over its management of climate-related…
Germany's government, and Chancellor Angela Merkel (center) face a lawsuit by three farming families over the country's climate policy. Photo credit: German government via Getty Images By Dana Drugmand Three families in Germany are suing their government hoping to compel it to cut carbon emissions as it has promised, joining a…
The United Nations should consider a right to a healthy environment, the special rapporteur on human rights argues. Photo credit: John Moore/Getty Images By Ucilia Wang David Boyd stood in front of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Thursday as the new special rapporteur…
The French oil giant Total is facing pressure to comply with a law that requires French companies to be vigilant about climate change. Photo credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images By Dana Drugmand More than a dozen communities and environmental organizations in France are challenging the French multinational oil and gas company Total for its…