Sudhir Sharma, retired NABARD officer; PG Diploma in Environmental Law, Post Graduate in Economics, MBA Finance and CAIIB
ABSTRACT
According to the UNEP Climate Litigation Status Reports, climate litigation would increase in national and international bodies in the coming years, especially with respect to companies misreporting climate risks, governments failing to adapt to extreme weather events, and cases brought to enforce previous court decisions. A rise is also expected in cases concerning persons displaced by climate change impacts.
As evident from the global and Indian climate litigation trends, the idea of seeking climate justice has gained significance in the recent years. It is also an indication that more nations are moving towards greater commitments, judges have shown grave concern for climate threats in many nations, awareness & activism is on the rise and govts are being challenged for inaction. This short article tries to elucidate the theoretical concept of climate justice, and a brief description of the nature of climate litigations and court decisions in such cases. Till now the number of litigations in India have been relatively less, however it does not imply that they will not surge in future. In future it will call for earnest adoption of climate change disclosure framework and climate risk management policies by public & private entities to restrain the rise in such litigations, and yet move fast on the economic growth path. Further, we need to accept that involvement of activists, advocates, civil society organisations, and innovative court decisions assist in adoption of alternative systems, and move forward on the path of sustainable development.
Keywords: climate justice, sustainable development, climate litigations.
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