How criminal law is seeping into the climate debate

While several climate activists have been sent to prison for their involvement in disruptive protests, legislation is now also being strengthened to impose criminal sanctions on individuals found responsible for large-scale environmental damage

Courts globally have seen a steep rise in climate-related lawsuits as the negative impacts of a warming planet are becoming more severe and more deadly. This type of litigation is predominantly filed under civil law, meaning the underlying claim is aimed at challenging an existing corporate or government policy or at seeking financial compensation for damages incurred.