ClientEarth
Author: Ana Bellew
The Problem
Our planet is facing an unprecedented environmental crisis. A 2023 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that surpassing 1.5°C of global warming risks irreversible damage on a global scale.
Despite technological advances and environmental regulations, global efforts remain insufficient to meet this critical temperature target, with major contributors often denying responsibility.
A significant part of the problem lies with large corporations, especially in high-emission industries like oil, aviation, and automotive manufacturing.
These companies not only contribute heavily to climate change but often obstruct environmental action by funding campaigns that question climate science and lobbying against climate policies.
Although some corporations have pledged to reduce emissions, many prioritise profit over meaningful environmental responsibility, slowing global progress on this urgent issue.
The Solution
ClientEarth, an environmental law organisation, believes the root cause of these issues is governance structures that enable environmental harm.
By leveraging legal systems, ClientEarth enacts large-scale changes by creating and enforcing regulations that protect the environment.
Through legal action, they hold governments and corporations accountable for their environmental impact, aiming to make justice accessible to communities affected by environmental degradation.
ClientEarth’s approach involves several key strategies to drive accountability and foster environmental change.
They empower citizens and NGOs to access courts to challenge environmental damage, enabling communities to hold powerful entities accountable.
Focusing on hard-to-decarbonise industries like coal and aviation, ClientEarth uses legal action to push for a transition to cleaner energy sources and sustainable practices.
Additionally, ClientEarth addresses corporate greenwashing by taking legal action against companies with misleading environmental claims, promoting transparency and accountability in corporate environmental practices.
Impact and Lessons
ClientEarth’s efforts have led to significant victories that are reshaping environmental policies and setting new precedents:
ClientEarth has successfully compelled European governments to enforce stricter air quality standards. Since 2010, they have won multiple court orders against the UK government, directly benefiting public health and establishing a model for stronger air standards across Europe.
In a notable victory, ClientEarth halted expansion plans for the Bełchatów coal plant in Poland, one of Europe’s biggest polluters. This decision mandates emission reductions and paves the way for further legal action against coal-based pollution across Europe.
In 2022 they filed a landmark case against KLM for promoting carbon offsetting schemes that inaccurately portrayed them as a solution to the airline’s environmental impact. This first-of-its-kind lawsuit has heightened scrutiny on corporate environmental claims, fostering greater accountability in corporate advertising.
ClientEarth’s legal training programs in China have empowered citizens to file over 140,000 lawsuits against polluters, underscoring the role of law in holding both corporations and governments accountable.
After years of legal battles, ClientEarth secured amendments to the Aarhus Convention, allowing EU citizens to take environmental cases to court. This significant victory ensures that environmental justice is not merely theoretical but a practical right for all.
ClientEarth’s work demonstrates that isolated actions cannot adequately address the scale of the crisis. Bold, systemic changes in legal frameworks and corporate practices are essential to reversing environmental degradation.
The environmental crisis demands comprehensive and sustained action. ClientEarth exemplifies how, when effectively harnessed, legal systems can be a powerful tool for driving accountability and promoting systemic environmental change. By holding governments and corporations responsible for their actions, ClientEarth paves the way for a more sustainable future, inspiring organisations and individuals worldwide to pursue justice and accountability in the fight to protect our planet.