Clean Energy Regulation
Climate Litigation
Climate Change Litigation In 2024
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Litigation against fossil fuel companies could accelerate in 2024 as new legal approaches and deeper evidence gathering processes gain traction. At the launch of Longspur Capital’s Senior Advisory Board, Dr Ben Franta of the University of Oxford presented an update on this evolving landscape, noting that even though legal outcomes may not directly drive clean energy investments, they will influence policy and investor practices across the energy sector.
Key Takeaways:
• More Climate Litigation Ahead: Increasing number of lawsuits at the state level in the US, driven by successful procedural wins that allow cases to proceed in state courts.
• Shift in Legal Strategies: Greater emphasis on evidence of past misrepresentation by oil majors, inspired by successful tactics seen in tobacco litigation.
• Public and Investor Pressure: Legal cases, combined with scientific advances in attribution and evidence gathering, will add to scrutiny on oil and gas companies and bolster policy responses
• Climate Science Progress: Advances in attribution science now support claims with higher legal confidence, potentially shaping the outcome of future litigation.</div
• Industry Impact: Legal action may encourage investors and boards to refocus on emissions and sustainability, while increasing expectations for credible transition strategies.
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Fossil fuel company litigation may rise in 2024 with new evidence approaches, potentially strengthening policy frameworks and encouraging investors to favour cleaner energy options for achieving net zero goals