Climate Litigation Is Shaping The Regulatory Landscape In Australia

Introduction

Climate change and environmental sustainability concerns continue to shape the legal and regulatory landscape in Australia. Recent court actions provide important guidance for government, business and the broader community.

This insight examines three significant developments:

• the Federal Court's decision in Pabai v Commonwealth (No 2) [2025] FCA 796 (Pabai);
• the settlement between EnergyAustralia and Parents for Climate; and
• recent actions by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) targeting greenwashing.

Each of these developments offers valuable insights into the persistence of attempts to use both traditional and novel mechanisms to sheet home accountability for climate harms and green claims.