The UN's former top environment and human rights diplomat says an international climate decision in favour of Torres Strait Islanders will influence domestic courts and international tribunals.
Pacific Island Forum foreign ministers including Penny Wong have backed Vanuatu's proposal to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legal consequences of climate change.
The latest IPCC report provides powerful new evidence to support the claims of climate change litigants, according to environment groups, lawyers and climate scientists.
Shell says it will appeal a Dutch court decision overnight that requires it to reduce its global direct and indirect emissions to 45% below 2019 levels within 10 years.
More polluting companies would be prosecuted and their executives could face jail, under new environmental and clean energy proposals released by US presidential contender Joe Biden.
ExxonMobil has won a significant victory in a US climate change test case, but Minter Ellison's Sarah Barker has warned that Australian companies should not assume the decision lessens the risk of similar litigation.
Climate change litigants are increasingly arguing their case by alleging infringement of environmental and human rights, according to the Chief Justice of the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Greenpeace and WWF have written to directors of companies including BHP Billiton, GlencoreXstrata, Chevron and Conoco Philips asking whether they expect to be personally indemnified by their companies and insurers against potential lawsuits over carbon emissions and climate change.