LITIGATION
States, towns, and cities are litigating against fossil fuel companies for knowingly accelerating global warming. Kids are litigating against the federal government for endangering their futures. Investors are litigating against corporations for putting the value of their stock in jeopardy. Employees are suing corporations for deceiving them about climate change. Climate protesters are suing to preserve their rights to civil disobedience.
Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it’s a social justice issue, too. It is important to recognize that the people most affected by climate change are often those who have contributed least to its progression. People are recognizing that environmental mismanagement and obstruction of climate action are an infringement on their rights.
SOURCE: 350.org, 11/4/19
CURRENT NEWS
Climate Litigation Spreads across the United States
Supreme Court Will Hear Fossil Fuel’s Appeal of Baltimore’s Climate Lawsuit
Indiana Groups Sue EPA For Not Regulating Certain Steel Mill Pollutants
Mounting climate cases expand Big Oil’s legal battlefield
Greens sue to stop Trump methane rule
Connecticut sues ExxonMobil over climate change, accusing energy giant of misrepresenting threats to the environment
Trump NEPA rules take effect after court denies freeze
Delaware Just Sued 30 Fossil Fuel Companies and the American Petroleum Institute Over Climate ‘Denial and Disinformation’
KEY RESOURCES
12 Legal Tools to Push Climate Preparedness
9 major climate change cases that could shape the fight to save the planet
League of Conservation Voters v. Trump
Lawyers are unleashing a flurry of lawsuits to step up the fight against climate change
U.S. Climate Change Litigation
THE WAR ON SCIENCE
NRDC’s Litigation Timeline
SIGNIFICANT LITIGATION
KIDS

COMMUNITIES

INVESTORS

EMPLOYEES

PROTESTORS

Litigations covering multiple issues will have no icon.
National Audubon Society, Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Biological Diversity, and Friends of the Earth v. David Bernhardt, Bureau of Land Management, and US Fish and Wildlife Service
Lawsuit Aims to Block Drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Oil, Gas Leasing Would Cause Irreparable Harm to Wildlife, Tundra, Climate
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LITIGATION
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National Audubon Society, Natural Resources Defense Council, Center for Biological Diversity, and Friends of the Earth v. David Bernhardt, Bureau of Land Management, and US Fish and Wildlife Service
Environmental groups filed a lawsuit in federal court today challenging the Trump administration’s decision to allow oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. -
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Lawsuit Aims to Block Drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Oil, Gas Leasing Would Cause Irreparable Harm to Wildlife, Tundra, Climate
Press ReleaseEnvironmental groups filed a lawsuit in federal court today challenging the Trump administration’s decision to allow oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife…
National Audubon Society, Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth, and Stand.Earth v. David Bernhardt, William P. Pendley, Chad B. Padgett, United States Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management
Lawsuit Fights Trump Administration Plan to Open 18 Million Acres of Western Arctic to Oil and Gas Drilling
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LITIGATION
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National Audubon Society, Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth, and Stand.Earth v. David Bernhardt, William P. Pendley, Chad B. Padgett, United States Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management
8/24/20Conservation groups sued the Trump administration over its plan to allow oil and gas drilling on 18.7 million acres of the Western Arctic, known as the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. -
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Lawsuit Fights Trump Administration Plan to Open 18 Million Acres of Western Arctic to Oil and Gas Drilling
Press ReleaseConservation groups today sued the Trump administration over its plan to allow oil and gas drilling on 18.7 million acres of the Western Arctic, known…
Commonwealth v. Exxon Mobil Corp.
U.S. top court rejects Exxon in climate change document dispute
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LITIGATION
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Commonwealth v. Exxon Mobil Corp.
Action by Massachusetts attorney general asserting that Exxon Mobil Corporation committed deceptive practices against Massachusetts investors and consumers, including by failing to disclose climate change risks. -
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U.S. top court rejects Exxon in climate change document dispute
By ReutersRuling clears the way for Massachusetts attorney general to obtain records from Exxon Mobil to probe whether it concealed its knowledge of the role fossil…
Sinnok v. Alaska (2017)
Alaska Supreme Court Considers Appeal of Kids Climate Case
Alaska Judge Dismisses Youth Climate Suit Vs. State Government
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LITIGATION
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Sinnok v. Alaska (2017)
11/29/18Lawsuit contending that Alaska state Climate and Energy Policy violated youth plaintiffs’ rights under the state constitution. -
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Alaska Supreme Court Considers Appeal of Kids Climate Case
By Dana Drugmand Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesYoung Alaskans who are suing their state government over climate change harms had their appeal heard on Wednesday in the state’s highest court, which will…Alaska Judge Dismisses Youth Climate Suit Vs. State Government
By Dana Drugmand Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty ImagesA judge in Alaska has dismissed a youth-led climate change case against the state’s government. The lawsuit alleged that the state’s pro-fossil fuel energy policy…
State of California v. EPA (2018)
California leads 17 states in suing the EPA for attacking vehicle emissions standards
Tesla & Rivian Join California’s Lawsuit Against Trump’s EPA & NHTSA
EPA May Have Picked A Clean Air Fight With Calif. It Can’t Win.
Listen to ‘The Daily’: California vs. the E.P.A.
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LITIGATION
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State of California v. EPA (2018)
Press Release 10/25/19Challenges to EPA determination to withdraw its Mid-Term Evaluation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Model Year 2022-2025 Light-Duty Vehicles because the standards appeared to be too stringent. -
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California leads 17 states in suing the EPA for attacking vehicle emissions standards
By Sean O'Kane Photo by Mario Tama/Getty ImagesThis phalanx of states will defend the nation’s clean car standards to boost gas mileage and curb toxic air pollution,’ Gov. Jerry Brown says.Tesla & Rivian Join California’s Lawsuit Against Trump’s EPA & NHTSA
By Steve Hanley Photo by NCATThe National Coalition for Advanced Transport is an association that includes electric vehicle manufacturers Tesla and Rivian together with EV industry supporters such as Charge…EPA May Have Picked A Clean Air Fight With Calif. It Can’t Win.
By Juan Carlos RodriguezThe Trump administration is on shaky legal ground and faces a difficult road ahead against a 23-state challenge to its bid to establish primacy over…Listen to ‘The Daily’: California vs. the E.P.A.
By Michael Barbaro Photo by Monica Almeida/NYTA battle is brewing between the Environmental Protection Agency, which wants to weaken auto emissions standards, and the state of California.
State of California v. Chao (2019)
States’ Lawsuit Adds Uncertainty to Clean Cars Clash
California sues Trump over revoking state’s authority to set car emissions standards
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State of California v. Chao (2019)
Press Release 1/15/20Lawsuit challenging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s final rule preempting state regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles. -
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States’ Lawsuit Adds Uncertainty to Clean Cars Clash
By Ellen M. Gilmer Photo by Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty ImagesA new lawsuit targeting the Trump administration’s decision to cut off California’s authority to set auto emissions standards complicates an already-messy legal conflict.California sues Trump over revoking state’s authority to set car emissions standards
By ANNA M. PHILLIPS Photo by John Gibbins / San Diego Union-TribuneA coalition of states led by California filed a lawsuit Friday against the Trump administration, challenging its decision to revoke a rule that empowers the…
Ramirez v. Exxon Mobil Corp.
Exxon Fights Class Action Suit from Investors in Federal Court
Insurers face potential rise in climate-related litigation, claims: Clyde & Co
Federal Judge: Employees Can Pursue Climate Fraud Suit Against Exxon
U.S. judge rules securities suit against Exxon, executives can proceed
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Ramirez v. Exxon Mobil Corp.
Press Release 5/16/19Securities fraud class action against Exxon Mobil Corporation (Exxon) alleging that Exxon failed to disclose climate risks. -
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Exxon Fights Class Action Suit from Investors in Federal Court
By Dana Drugmand Photo by Mike MozartA federal judge rejected Exxon Mobil Corp’s motion to dismiss a securities suit alleging ExxonMobil, currently a defendant in multiple climate change liability lawsuits and…Insurers face potential rise in climate-related litigation, claims: Clyde & Co
By Gloria GonzalezLitigation alleging responsibility for climate impacts could be on the verge of escalating, triggering additional directors and officers and product liability claims, according to a…Federal Judge: Employees Can Pursue Climate Fraud Suit Against Exxon
By Karen Savage Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty ImagesA federal judge in Texas has ruled that a case brought against Exxon for allegedly deceiving its employees about the risks of climate change will…U.S. judge rules securities suit against Exxon, executives can proceed
By Ellen M. Gilmer Photo by Lee Celano/ReutersA federal judge rejected Exxon Mobil Corp’s motion to dismiss a securities suit alleging the company and top executives misled investors about the impact of…
People of the State of New York v. Exxon Mobil Corp.
Climate change ruling may boost energy companies
The Energy 202: ExxonMobil just won a big climate court case in New York. But it’s not in the clear yet.
Will New York Vs. Exxon Matter?
Everything so far has failed: why exxon mobil is being taken to court over climate change
In Exxon Climate Fraud Case, Judge Rejects Defense Tactic that Attacked the Prosecutor
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People of the State of New York v. Exxon Mobil Corp.
1/28/18Action alleging fraudulent scheme by Exxon Mobil Corporation to deceive investors about the company’s management of risks posed by climate change regulation. -
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Climate change ruling may boost energy companies
By Judy GreenwaldExxon Mobil Corp.’s victory in a climate change case brought by New York’s attorney general doesn’t end the oil giant’s environment-related legal fights, but it…The Energy 202: ExxonMobil just won a big climate court case in New York. But it’s not in the clear yet.
By Dino Grandoni Photo by Justin Lane/EPA-EFE/REXExxonMobil just beat the state of New York in a closely-watched climate fraud case. But other state and local governments suing the oil and natural…Will New York Vs. Exxon Matter?
By Scott Carpenter Photo by Wikimedia CommonsExxonMobil just beat the state of New York in a closely-watched climate fraud case. But other state and local Five years after the New York…Everything so far has failed: why exxon mobil is being taken to court over climate change
By Ryan Devereaux Photo by Peter Foley/BloombergTHE NEW YORK State Supreme Court building is a granite-faced behemoth with wide steps, towering columns, and an ornate rotunda. It is a place where…In Exxon Climate Fraud Case, Judge Rejects Defense Tactic that Attacked the Prosecutor
By Staff Photo by Kena Betancur/VIEWpressThe oil giant is accused of trying to deceive investors about how it was managing economic risks posed by climate change. ExxonMobil has suffered yet…
WildEarth Guardians v. Zinke
Judge blocks federal drilling leases: government must consider climate
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WildEarth Guardians v. Zinke
Press Release 9/27/19Action to block oil and gas leasing until Bureau of Land Management conducts programmatic review of its oil and gas leasing program that considers climate effects. -
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Judge blocks federal drilling leases: government must consider climate
By Dana Drugmand WikimediaA federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s authorization of oil and gas leasing in Wyoming failed to adequately consider climate change, a decision that…
City of New York v. BP p.l.c.
Federal government backs oil companies fighting NYC climate suit
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City of New York v. BP p.l.c.
Press Release 7/23/19Action brought by New York City against fossil fuel companies seeking damages for climate change-related injuries. -
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Federal government backs oil companies fighting NYC climate suit
By Karen Savage Getty ImagesThe Trump administration is supporting the five oil companies being sued by New York City to pay for damages related to climate change, filing a…
Conservation Law Foundation v. ExxonMobil Corp.
Exxon must face suit over climate risks to Mass. facility, judge rules
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Conservation Law Foundation v. ExxonMobil Corp.
Press Release 5/14/19Citizen suit alleging violations of RCRA and Clean Water Act for failure to take action to prepare marine terminal for climate change. -
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Exxon must face suit over climate risks to Mass. facility, judge rules
By Dana Drugmand Getty ImagesA federal judge denied ExxonMobil’s motion to dismiss multiple climate change-related claims brought by Conservation Law Foundation. The foundation’s lawsuit, filed in 2016, alleges that…