Climate

Legal Hurdles Loom as Trump Administration Aims to Dismantle Key Climate Policy

by

Philadelphia, PA — The plan to dismantle significant climate policies under the Trump administration is poised to confront legal obstacles, particularly through an effort to rescind the endangerment finding established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2009. This determination identified six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, as contributors to climate change and a threat to public health. Since the issuance of the endangerment finding, scientific evidence has only intensified, supported by extensive reports from numerous researchers globally. These insights have underscored the risks associated with greenhouse gas emissions, yet the EPA’s current proposal to … Read more

Charleston’s Legal Battle Over Climate Change: Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Oil Companies

by

Charleston, West Virginia—A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the city against several major oil companies, a case that aimed to hold these corporations accountable for their alleged role in climate change. The decision signals a significant setback for local governments seeking to address environmental damage through legal action against fossil fuel producers. The lawsuit, initiated by Charleston officials in 2020, accused oil giants of contributing to climate-related disruptions and increasing expenses faced by the city. This included rising infrastructure costs driven by changing weather patterns and severe flooding that has become more … Read more

New York Climate Law Under Fire: Judge Suggests State is Failing to Meet Mandates Amid Growing Legal Challenges

by

ULSTER COUNTY, N.Y. — A judge signaled on Friday that New York may be in violation of its climate change law, casting doubt on the state’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions as required. Ulster County Supreme Court Justice Julian Schreibman sharply challenged a lawyer from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), who argued that the agency could not implement necessary regulations in the near future. During the hearing, Schreibman questioned the validity of the DEC’s claim that it needed flexibility due to the uncertainty of the times. “I don’t know that … Read more

Italian Court Empowers Climate Activists as ENI Lawsuit Moves Forward, Signaling a Shift in Environmental Accountability

by

ROME, Italy — In a significant legal development, Italy’s Supreme Court has greenlit a lawsuit initiated by climate activists against the energy giant ENI, marking a notable moment in the quest for climate accountability in the country. Environmental group Greenpeace, along with ReCommon and twelve Italian citizens, is pursuing damages, alleging that ENI’s practices contribute to climate change damage in Italy. The Court of Cassation announced on Monday that it has dismissed ENI’s attempts to throw out the lawsuit on jurisdictional grounds, allowing the case to proceed in a Roman tribunal. ENI expressed its satisfaction … Read more