Climate Litigation Weekly Update (Sep. 29 – Oct. 3, 2025)

Your weekly summary of global climate litigation developments.

Each week, the Climate Court Updates Tracker compiles verified updates on ongoing climate-related cases across national, regional, and international jurisdictions. These include new filings, rulings, judgments, and procedural developments, all documented with reliable source links for subscribers.

Below is a brief overview of this week’s key developments.

For full case summaries, filings, and verified documents, visit the Climate Litigation Tracker.

United States

Climate litigation in the United States continues to expand across multiple fronts. Recent filings and rulings address factory farm emission exemptions, DOE emergency orders, and delayed greenhouse gas reporting. Other active cases involve methane plant permits, species protections, and state-level climate lawsuits in Maine, Michigan, and Montana.

These updates reflect ongoing legal challenges to both regulatory decisions and industry practices linked to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts.

Europe

Across Europe, several new developments shaped this week’s climate docket.

• In Portugal, activists are contesting the €222 million Pisão Dam project.

• In France, the fast-fashion giant SHEIN was held partially accountable under OECD Guidelines for environmental and supply chain impacts.

• Norwegian environmental groups continue to seek a halt to the disposal of mining waste in Førdefjorden, citing environmental protection obligations.

• Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the government is reviewing its carbon capture and storage strategy amid growing legal concerns about compliance and feasibility.

Canada

One of the week’s most notable developments came from Canada’s Federal Court, which referenced the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion on states’ obligations under international climate law.

The reference appeared in a constitutional case filed by Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, marking a potentially significant intersection between international climate jurisprudence and domestic constitutional litigation.

Papua New Guinea

Beyond North America and Europe, courts also addressed major environmental disputes. In Papua New Guinea, the National Court dismissed a multibillion-dollar class action against Rio Tinto related to the Panguna mine.

The ruling closes one of the region’s most closely watched environmental cases, with implications for corporate accountability in extractive industries.

Check back next week for the latest climate court updates, including new lawsuits, judgments, and legal trends from around the world. By following these weekly summaries, you’ll stay informed about how climate accountability is advancing through courts, tribunals, and administrative bodies across all regions.

For continuous coverage and source-backed updates, visit the Climate Litigation Tracker.

Why Weekly Climate Litigation Updates Matter

As climate change becomes an increasingly urgent legal and political issue, climate litigation has emerged as one of the most powerful tools for driving accountability and enforcing environmental obligations. Courts worldwide are now handling cases that address greenhouse gas emissions, corporate responsibility, human rights impacts, and government inaction on climate targets.

By tracking these developments weekly, the Climate Court Updates Tracker helps researchers, advocates, and policymakers understand how climate law and environmental governance are evolving in real time. These updates highlight key legal trends, new filings, and significant rulings that are shaping the future of climate accountability and climate law.