Climate change litigation : global perspectives /

This outstanding book fills a gap in the literature on climate governance, generally viewing litigation as a response to national and international policy makers' failure to achieve UN climate regime goals. The text focuses on the role courts have played in pressuring executive and legislative branches of government to act on climate change issues. Alogna, Bakker, and Gauci (all, British Institute of International and Comparative Law) assemble a first-class group of contributors providing analytical insights on litigation involving 11 countries. Chapters address legal systems in which climate change litigation has thrived (the US, Australia) or whose courts have issued landmark decisions (the Netherlands, Pakistan). Part 2 considers litigation in European courts (both EU courts and the European Court of Human Rights) and in the African and Inter-American human rights systems. Selected chapters examine, e.g., whether climate disputes within the WTO block or drive action, arbitration as a "sword" for climate action, and interstate litigation. Overall, the book shows the impact of domestic politics. Chapter 2 discusses cases brought against the US federal government during Republican administrations by environmental groups and states favoring regulation and during Democratic administrations by corporations, industry groups, and states opposing regulation. A useful supplement to Paul Harris's Pathologies of Climate Governance (CH, Jul'22, 59-3204). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and professionals. --Mario E. Carranza, Texas A&M University--Kingsville