Courts Against Climate Change? Climate Change Litigations Are Reaching Europe

The climate targets of the Paris Agreement, especially to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, are commonly known. The Paris Agreement, however, does not contain any sanctions, is not binding under international law and therefore awards no subjective rights to individuals. In recent years, activists have relied on their creativity to hold states and companies accountable. NGOs and private individuals are asserting in climate change proceedings across Europe that human and fundamental rights are being violated, arguing that states or companies are not doing enough to address climate change.